To answer this question, we need to make sure that we understand what each passage is saying. This will allow us to determine what they have in common and where they differ.
Passage A discusses how neurological insight changes the way we think about the law. It says we may not always be making a rational and free choice even when we think we are, so the criminal justice system should shift away from retribution and towards deterrence.
Passage B discusses neuroscience in relation to the argument for the coexistence of free will and determinism. It explains soft determinism and the difference between free actions caused by internal sources and constrained actions caused by external sources.
Let's proceed to the answer choices. We are looking to identify the question that both passages are focused on answering:
(A) is incorrect because Passage B never says anything about punishment. (B) is correct because, as seen in our summaries above, both Passage A and Passage B clearly explore neuroscience and its impact on the concept of free will. (C) is incorrect because Passage B never says anything about punishment or deterrence. (D) is incorrect because Passage B never says anything about punishment or retribution. (E) is incorrect because Passage A does not comment on someone physically forcing someone else to perform an action. Although it mentions "strings...being pulled by something beyond their control," this refers to the internal. Passage B is the only passage that explicitly mentions "someone or something forcing you physically or mentally to perform an action."
Does that make sense? Please let us know if you have any other questions!
