Explanation
In this question, we can keep in mind that the calorimeter
was a kind of "cultural mediator," according Wise's theory and to the passage.
That may rule out or rule in answer choices. Choices (A) and (B) ignore or
contradict the idea of mediation, so they are out. Choice (C), though quite
broad, is correct and is an assumption of Wise's theory--technology plays a role
"in society outside of the applications for which it has been developed" (lines
4-5). So (C) stays in. Choice (D) describes the calorimeter using Kuhn's theory, not Wise's, and the
passage doesn't support that. Choice (E) is similar to Choice (C), so we are
left with (C) and (E). One has an objective fault; which is it? A clue is
expressed in the fact that (E) says pretty much what (C) says, plus a bit more,
and they can't both be flawed, so the flaw must reside in the extra bit of
something that (E) expresses. Indeed, the error with (E) is that it implies
that "the circumstances under which it was invented" were what made the
calorimeter important. But this isn't what the passage claims, because the passage
claims that all technology acts as a
cultural mediator. The calorimeter happens to be a vivid example for the
purpose of explaining this point. Choice (E) expresses something contrary to
that point, so it's out.
The correct answer is (C).
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