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- Mon Jun 06, 2016 2:40 pm
#26201
Complete Question Explanation
Flaw in the Reasoning. The correct answer choice is (D)
The conclusion of this argument is that the proposed approach would damage commercial fishing operations. The only reason provided as to why it would damage these operations is that 20,000 people have signed petitions opposing the approach and favoring an alternative approach. This is a clear example of an Appeal Fallacy. The fact that a large number of people oppose a certain approach does not establish that the approach will damage fishing operations.
Answer Choice (A): This answer choice describes a Straw Man argument. While this answer choice does describe an error in reasoning, it is not describing the flaw that occurred in this particular argument. The argument here never addressed the specifics of the editor’s view or the approach in question, and so could not distort that view. The argument simply said the approach would be damaging and offered the opinion of 20,000 people to support that assertion.
Answer Choice (B): This answer choice is tempting, yet incorrect. Although the author did indeed fail to establish that the alternative approach was viable, she was under no obligation to do so. The author’s argument is simply that one particular approach will be harmful, not that an alternative approach is necessarily better. The author never personally advocates the use of sand-capped pits. Therefore, her failure to establish the viability of the alternative approach is not a flaw.
These types of answer choices are very common on Flaw in the Reasoning questions. They often discuss something the author “failed” to do. When you look back to the stimulus, it is apparent that the author failed to do what the answer choice describes, and so these answers can be very tempting. However, you must be certain that the failure is actually something the author needed to do in the argument. In other words, you must identify whether the failure is actually a mistake.
Answer Choice (C): This answer choice is incorrect. The intent of the author is irrelevant to the validity of the argument.
Answer Choice (D): This is the correct answer choice. Unless the author establishes that these 20,000 people are somehow experts on the issue, this argument is simply an appeal to popular opinion. An argument cannot rest on the mere fact that a high number of people agree with it. Without sufficient expertise, the opinion of this large group of people is irrelevant, and the argument is flawed.
Answer Choice (E): This answer choice is describing a False Dilemma and is incorrect. The author did not assume that only two options existed in this situation. The author simply uses the opinion of 20,000 people to support his criticism of the editor’s proposal.
Flaw in the Reasoning. The correct answer choice is (D)
The conclusion of this argument is that the proposed approach would damage commercial fishing operations. The only reason provided as to why it would damage these operations is that 20,000 people have signed petitions opposing the approach and favoring an alternative approach. This is a clear example of an Appeal Fallacy. The fact that a large number of people oppose a certain approach does not establish that the approach will damage fishing operations.
Answer Choice (A): This answer choice describes a Straw Man argument. While this answer choice does describe an error in reasoning, it is not describing the flaw that occurred in this particular argument. The argument here never addressed the specifics of the editor’s view or the approach in question, and so could not distort that view. The argument simply said the approach would be damaging and offered the opinion of 20,000 people to support that assertion.
Answer Choice (B): This answer choice is tempting, yet incorrect. Although the author did indeed fail to establish that the alternative approach was viable, she was under no obligation to do so. The author’s argument is simply that one particular approach will be harmful, not that an alternative approach is necessarily better. The author never personally advocates the use of sand-capped pits. Therefore, her failure to establish the viability of the alternative approach is not a flaw.
These types of answer choices are very common on Flaw in the Reasoning questions. They often discuss something the author “failed” to do. When you look back to the stimulus, it is apparent that the author failed to do what the answer choice describes, and so these answers can be very tempting. However, you must be certain that the failure is actually something the author needed to do in the argument. In other words, you must identify whether the failure is actually a mistake.
Answer Choice (C): This answer choice is incorrect. The intent of the author is irrelevant to the validity of the argument.
Answer Choice (D): This is the correct answer choice. Unless the author establishes that these 20,000 people are somehow experts on the issue, this argument is simply an appeal to popular opinion. An argument cannot rest on the mere fact that a high number of people agree with it. Without sufficient expertise, the opinion of this large group of people is irrelevant, and the argument is flawed.
Answer Choice (E): This answer choice is describing a False Dilemma and is incorrect. The author did not assume that only two options existed in this situation. The author simply uses the opinion of 20,000 people to support his criticism of the editor’s proposal.
Thank you!