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- Tue May 10, 2016 6:41 pm
#24392
Complete Question Explanation
Flaw in the Reasoning-CE. The correct answer choice is (E)
Just because great writers have a discerning view of the political arrangements in society does not mean that the greater the writer, the more discerning her view. While a positive correlation between writing ability and critical thinking is certainly possible, they are independent characteristics even if great writers are discerning social critics. Think of it in this way: it is entirely possible that one can always become a greater writer, whereas one’s discerning view of society cannot be improved: you either have it or you don’t. This logical flaw is best described in answer choice (E).
Answer choice (A): The conclusion of the argument did not suggest that because great writers are great artists and great artists are generally thought of as astute social critics, then great writers must also be astute social critics. The stimulus does not attribute the characteristic of great artists to the subgroup of great writers. This answer choice is incorrect.
Answer choice (B): The author never argued that since great artists (and writers) sometimes possess a discerning view of society, they always possess such a view. This answer choice is incorrect.
Answer choice (C): Since insight into matters outside of politics was never an issue in this argument, the author does not assume that artists lack such an insight.
Answer choice (D): This is akin to a Mistaken Reversal of the argument’s central premise. The author never suggested that an individual’s greatness is a necessary condition for her ability to make discerning criticisms of society (i.e. that all discerning critics are great individuals). It is entirely plausible that individuals who are not all that great can also be discerning social critics.
Answer choice (E): This is the correct answer choice. The author assumes that just because writers who possess one quality (greatness) tend to have a second quality (discerning view of society), those who have more of the first quality (the greater the writer) will have more of the second (the more discerning the view).
Flaw in the Reasoning-CE. The correct answer choice is (E)
Just because great writers have a discerning view of the political arrangements in society does not mean that the greater the writer, the more discerning her view. While a positive correlation between writing ability and critical thinking is certainly possible, they are independent characteristics even if great writers are discerning social critics. Think of it in this way: it is entirely possible that one can always become a greater writer, whereas one’s discerning view of society cannot be improved: you either have it or you don’t. This logical flaw is best described in answer choice (E).
Answer choice (A): The conclusion of the argument did not suggest that because great writers are great artists and great artists are generally thought of as astute social critics, then great writers must also be astute social critics. The stimulus does not attribute the characteristic of great artists to the subgroup of great writers. This answer choice is incorrect.
Answer choice (B): The author never argued that since great artists (and writers) sometimes possess a discerning view of society, they always possess such a view. This answer choice is incorrect.
Answer choice (C): Since insight into matters outside of politics was never an issue in this argument, the author does not assume that artists lack such an insight.
Answer choice (D): This is akin to a Mistaken Reversal of the argument’s central premise. The author never suggested that an individual’s greatness is a necessary condition for her ability to make discerning criticisms of society (i.e. that all discerning critics are great individuals). It is entirely plausible that individuals who are not all that great can also be discerning social critics.
Answer choice (E): This is the correct answer choice. The author assumes that just because writers who possess one quality (greatness) tend to have a second quality (discerning view of society), those who have more of the first quality (the greater the writer) will have more of the second (the more discerning the view).
