#11 - Human intelligence is not possible without human

[akanshalsat]

Hey! for this question, I did not choose E because i felt that it was explicitly stated in the first sentence because the first sentence saying human intelligence is not possible without human emotions is the same as saying being intelligent requires the capacity to have emotions, and that seemed like too easy of an answer? and exactly the same as the stimulus? so how could that be an unstated premise then??

Ichose B bc if you negate that it reads " computer technology might greatly advance beyond its current state" which undermines the conclusion saying that a computer will NEVER be able to display intelligence

[Adam Tyson]

Careful there, akanshalsat! The first sentence only tells us about HUMAN intelligence, but the conclusion is about a different sort of intelligence. Human intelligence requires emotions, but who says that other intelligence also needs them? That's the assumption - that the rule that applies to humans also applies to computers. What if it doesn't? Then the argument falls apart!

The author doesn't assume that computer technology will not greatly advance. He might be fine with all sorts of advances! But he does say, as a premise and not an assumption, that computers can NEVER have emotions, no matter how much they advance. What if we negate answer B, and say that computer technology will greatly advance? Does that mean they will have emotions, ruining the argument? Not necessarily! It's possible they will advance a lot and still never acquire that one, crucial thing the author says is needed for true intelligence. Since the negation of B doesn't wreck the argument, it must be the wrong answer.

Every word matters on this test, and the difference between intelligence as a general concept and human concept specifically is all the difference in the world in this question.

[blade21cn]

I correctly identified the scope shift from "human" in the premise to "computer" in the conclusion and pre-phrased that "the rule that applies to humans also applies to computers," but none of the answer choices says that. (A), (B), and (D) can be easily eliminated. Both (C) and (E) provide "intelligence → emotions" and both are applicable to computers. So how do we get (E) in this question? Thanks!

[KelseyWoods]

Hi blade21cn!

Answer choice (C) doesn't provide quite the same link as answer choice (E). Answer choice (E) says that the capacity for emotions is necessary for intelligence. Answer choice (C), on the other hand, states that being able to identify your emotions is necessary for intelligence. These are different concepts. Children are born with the capacity for emotion--they can be happy, sad, scared, angry, etc. But we have to teach them to identify their emotions so that they can recognize that they are happy, sad, scared, angry, etc. Adults sometimes spend a lot of money on therapists to help them identify their emotions. Being capable of emotions and being able to identify your emotions are two different things. Intelligence just requires the capacity to experience emotions, not the ability to identify your emotions.

Hope this helps!

Best,
Kelsey