Conditional sentence to declarative one

Question

Quite apart from whatever benefits art may have for the total society, it is generally agreed that art is a source of personal gratification for both the artist and the viewer. It would be hard to imagine a world in which people engaged only in pursuits that met their basic survival needs. Although people devote most of their time and energy to meeting those needs, it is equally true that all people derive some enjoyment from art because it provides at least a temporary break from those practical (and often stressful) pursuits.

In the passage above, I think, the sentence in bold is the conditional one. Is it? If so, can it be changed as follows? Check it, please.

It would be hard to imagine a world in which people engaged only in pursuits that met their basic survival needs.
? In truth, people doesn't always engage in pursuits that meet their basic survival needs.

Fivejedjon · Accepted Answer

Gu-Hoon KwonIt would be hard to imagine a world in which people engaged only in pursuits that met their basic survival needs.? In truth, people doesn't always engage in pursuits that meet their basic survival needs.

In reality, people don't always engage in pursuits that meet their basic survival needs.

The original sentence implies that this is true, but the original sentence cannot be changed into that and mean the same.

AlpheccaStars · Answer

Gu-Hoon KwonQuite apart from whatever benefits art may have for the total society, it is generally agreed that art is a source of personal gratification for both the artist and the viewer. It would be hard to imagine a world in which people engaged only in pursuits that met their basic survival needs. Although people devote most of their time and energy to meeting those needs, it is equally true that all people derive some enjoyment from art because it provides at least a temporary break from those practical (and often stressful) pursuits.In the passage above, I think, the sentence in bold is the conditional one. Is it? If so, can it be changed as follows? Check it, please.

A conditional sentence follows the pattern: if X, then Y. Unless is also used in conditional sentences:
If frogs had wings, they would fly.
If Sue had passed the test, she would have graduated.
If you put an egg in boiling water for three minutes, it will become a soft-boiled egg.
Unless you come to the window right now, you will miss seeing the fireworks.

Your passage has no similar constructions.

I suppose you could transform the bold one:

If there were a world in which people engaged only in pursuits that met their basic survival needs, it would be hard for us to imagine living in it.

Conditional sentence to declarative one

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