Final answer:
John Proctor's motivation in The Crucible, Act 1, for avoiding commentary on witchcraft is rooted in his disbelief in witchcraft, and his wish to prevent being targeted amid the hysteria of Salem's witch trials.
Step-by-step explanation:
John Proctor's motivation for stating he never spoke on witches one way or the other in The Crucible, Act 1, is primarily a reflection of his disbelief in witchcraft (b). In an environment where superstition and fear of demonic influence were rampant, as fueled by Puritanical belief and the witch trials in Salem, individuals like Proctor who were skeptical of the hysteria found it safer to remain neutral rather than to directly challenge the prevailing mindset. This stance allowed Proctor to avoid being a target of accusation or persecution, as the societal tensions described by Arthur Miller in The Crucible mirror the Cold War hysteria in which individuals feared speaking out could result in becoming the next victim of McCarthyism.