Which statement best describes Perry's Dualism in his scheme of intellectual development?

Which statement best describes Perry's Dualism in his scheme of intellectual development?

• A. Every problem is solvable, individuals should learn the right answers, and obedience to authorities is expected.
• B. There is no right answer and individuals should question all authorities.
• C. Knowledge is relative and context matters for decision making.
• D. Solutions require balancing multiple commitments and evolving beliefs.

Answer: (A)

In Perry's scheme, the Dualism stage centers on the belief that knowledge has one correct answer and that authorities hold that truth. People at this level expect to learn by discovering the right answers and view obedience to teachers, experts, or other authorities as essential for certainty and proper learning. The statement that every problem is solvable, that one should learn the right answers, and that obedience to authorities is expected fits this view precisely. It captures the idea of a clear separation between right and wrong, with knowledge coming from authorities and learning meaning reproducing those answers. The other descriptions point to later stages: questioning authorities and recognizing there isn’t a single right answer reflect Multiplicity, while knowledge being relative to context and balancing multiple commitments describe Relativism or Commitment within Relativism.

In Perry's scheme, the Dualism stage centers on the belief that knowledge has one correct answer and that authorities hold that truth. People at this level expect to learn by discovering the right answers and view obedience to teachers, experts, or other authorities as essential for certainty and proper learning. The statement that every problem is solvable, that one should learn the right answers, and that obedience to authorities is expected fits this view precisely. It captures the idea of a clear separation between right and wrong, with knowledge coming from authorities and learning meaning reproducing those answers. The other descriptions point to later stages: questioning authorities and recognizing there isn’t a single right answer reflect Multiplicity, while knowledge being relative to context and balancing multiple commitments describe Relativism or Commitment within Relativism.