Thanks for the question! First, let’s identify the conclusion of this stimulus, which is the first sentence: that the stable functioning of a society depends upon the relatively long-term stability of the goals of its citizens. We know this sentence is the conclusion because the sentence following tells us that “this is clear from the fact,†meaning that premises are about to be given in support of that conclusion. Indeed, we are given two premises in the following lines: one starting with “unless,†and the following one starting with “a society is stable only if…†Since these are both premises that support the conclusion, the answer must be (B), that it helps to support the conclusion of the argument.
Obviously, it’s not the conclusion, so (A) is wrong. It supports, not opposes, the argument, so (C) is wrong. It’s not a consequence of the argument, as (D) states, because it is actually used itself as a support for the argument. It’s not that a society is stable only if its laws tend to increase the happiness of its citizens is something that we derive from this argument. Instead, the author says that “it should be obvious,†that it’s a fact that stands independently. (E) is also wrong because there is no illustration of such a general principle. Hope this helps! Feel free to ask any further questions that you might have.
