In the Reading, When God Says, "I Will Grant You

question 68

Multiple Choice

In the reading, when God says, "I will grant you a very, very special dispensation to sin as much as you like, and I give you my divine word of honor that I will never punish you for it in the least. Agreed?" To which the mortal responds that ...

• A) he would then be completely determined in his actions which is unacceptable.
• B) he has an abhorrence of sinning, quite apart from any punishments it may entail.
• C) he wants only to do good and never do evil, therefore, God should make him good.
• D) he wants the power to change societies so everyone does good deeds.

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Definitions:

Fixed Action Pattern

A sequence of instinctual behaviors that once started, continue to completion without further external triggers.

External Control

The perception or belief that one's life outcomes are influenced by external forces or other people rather than one's own efforts.

Stereotyped

A fixed, generalized idea or image about a particular group of people or thing, often oversimplifying their characteristics.

Ethological Theory

A perspective within biology and psychology that studies the evolutionary significance of behaviors and their adaptive function.