#18 - President of Central Supply Company: Profits are at

[moshei24]

What is the error in (E) called? Because it says that the only options are so and so, which means that there aren't other ways. Is that really a flaw? If the president says that those are the only ways, wouldn't it be assumed that he decided the other ways don't work? I feel like this question is a common type of question that I usually get right, but looking at it critically right now, I don't see why that's a flaw. If it said, "Consequently the company must reduce planned expansion or to eliminate..." then I would see how it's a flaw, because then it's not taking into account other options, but once it says that these are the only options, isn't it assumed that it decided there aren't other ways?

[Steve Stein]

If the author concludes, without justification, that only two options exist, that's called a false dilemma. In this case, the author says that it's important to maintain profitability, and based on that premise alone, concludes that only two options remain.

I hope that's helpful! Let me know--thanks!

~Steve

[moshei24]

How would it be justified in this case?

[Dave Killoran]

It's not, that's why he says, "...without justification..."

Thanks!

[moshei24]

I mean what would need to be said in this stimulus for it to have been justified.

[Steve Stein]

If the author had opened the passage with a statement of fact (e.g., "There are only two ways to win at Game X..."), we would have to accept that as true. In the question you asked about, the author presents a premise and concludes that there are only two options (attempting to base this conclusion on insufficient evidence).

I hope that's helpful! Let me know--thanks!

~Steve

[moshei24]

Oh, oh, since the premise is in the conclusion it doesn't work? That's what you mean? That premise needed to be not in the conclusion, but as a premise?

[Steve Stein]

I'm not sure what you mean when you say "since the premise is in the conclusion it doesn't work." Can you clarify? Thanks!

~Steve

[moshei24]

Since the premise needed to prove the conclusion is actually the conclusion itself, it's not okay. What the conclusion is had to have been the premise for the conclusion to be true.

[Steve Stein]

If a choice is presented as fact, we take it as fact.

If an author concludes, based on evidence that is insufficient, that only two choices remain, that is a false dilemma.

I hope that clears it up--let me know--thanks!

~Steve