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- Fri Apr 15, 2016 5:04 pm
#23176
Complete Question Explanation
Flaw in the Reasoning. The correct answer choice is (A)
This argument is flawed because it contains an Internal Contradiction error of reasoning. Specifically, the argument describes "a problem" as consisting of two elements, but the resolution of that problem, described as being a complete solution, addresses only one of those two elements.
This Causal Reasoning argument asserts that when people fail to date revised versions of their wills, they create a two-part problem for the executor: 1) it is uncertain which of a known set of wills is the most recent; and 2) it is uncertain whether the most recent will is contained within the known set. The proposed solution also consists of two parts: 1) dating each new version of the will; and 2) indicating on each new version which previous version it supersedes. The testmakers create a false symmetry in the argument to confuse you into thinking that the two-part solution addresses each of the two problems described. However, the solution addresses only the first problem, determining which of a known set of wills is the most recent. The second problem remains. Another premise in the argument asserts that the proposed solution would prevent the problem from occuring. Since we know that the solution fails to address the second problem, the conclusion, that the proposed solution should be implemented, is based on contradictory premises.
Armed with our prephrase, that the argument contains the Internal Contradiction discussed above, we can head to the answer choices. Answer choice (A) describes this reasoning flaw. The argument treats a partial solution as the complete solution, because it redefines the two-part problem as consisting of only one part. Answer choice (A) is correct.
consider why the remaining answer choices are incorrect. Recall that an incorrect answer choice to a Flaw in the Reasoning question will either fail the Fact Test, because the stated error did not occur in the stimulus, or it will describe something that appeared in the stimulus but did not constitute a reasoning error.
Answer choice (A): As previously discussed, this answer choice is correct choice.
Answer choice (B): This answer choice fails the Fact Test because the argument never discusses the effects that might result from the uncertainty caused by people failing to date new versions of their wills. If you chose answer choice (B), reconsider the identity of the cause and effect described in the stimulus. In the stimulus, people failing to date their wills results in confusion for the executor. That confusion is the "problem" defined by the argument. The argument never discusses the further effects caused by that problem. Accordingly, those further effects are irrelevant to this argument, and it is not a reasoning error to "fail" to discuss something irrelevant to the argument.
Answer choice (C) This answer choice fails the Fact Test, and does so in a tricky, yet common, way. It begins by describing something that occurs in the stimulus, that the proposed solution does not solve the problem. However, this is a feint to lull you into thinking the answer choice will not fail the Fact Test and must be considered on its merits. Don't be fooled! When applying the Fact Test, remember that each component of the answer choice must be something you can prove to yourself is supported by the stimulus. Here, the second clause of the answer choice, that the proposed solution "merely makes someone else responsible for solving the problem," fails the Fact Test. The argument does not describe a shift in responsibility; the problem was and remains that of the executor, not the person drafting the revised will.
Answer choice (D) This answer choice fails the Fact Test, though in a subtle way. The argument concludes that the proposed solution should be implemented in order to resolve a specific problem. It does not claim that this solution would result in a "change for the better" generally speaking. There may be many circumstances in which one would conclude it is "better" that a will revision remain undated, resulting in the exectuor being unable to determine which will is the most recent. That universe of possibilities is not a part of the argument presented in the stimulus. Therefore, failing to consider those posibilities is not a reasoning error.
Answer choice (E) This answer choice fails the Fact Test, because the argument does not mention the unavailability of "a certain action...at the time proposed for that action."
Flaw in the Reasoning. The correct answer choice is (A)
This argument is flawed because it contains an Internal Contradiction error of reasoning. Specifically, the argument describes "a problem" as consisting of two elements, but the resolution of that problem, described as being a complete solution, addresses only one of those two elements.
This Causal Reasoning argument asserts that when people fail to date revised versions of their wills, they create a two-part problem for the executor: 1) it is uncertain which of a known set of wills is the most recent; and 2) it is uncertain whether the most recent will is contained within the known set. The proposed solution also consists of two parts: 1) dating each new version of the will; and 2) indicating on each new version which previous version it supersedes. The testmakers create a false symmetry in the argument to confuse you into thinking that the two-part solution addresses each of the two problems described. However, the solution addresses only the first problem, determining which of a known set of wills is the most recent. The second problem remains. Another premise in the argument asserts that the proposed solution would prevent the problem from occuring. Since we know that the solution fails to address the second problem, the conclusion, that the proposed solution should be implemented, is based on contradictory premises.
Armed with our prephrase, that the argument contains the Internal Contradiction discussed above, we can head to the answer choices. Answer choice (A) describes this reasoning flaw. The argument treats a partial solution as the complete solution, because it redefines the two-part problem as consisting of only one part. Answer choice (A) is correct.
consider why the remaining answer choices are incorrect. Recall that an incorrect answer choice to a Flaw in the Reasoning question will either fail the Fact Test, because the stated error did not occur in the stimulus, or it will describe something that appeared in the stimulus but did not constitute a reasoning error.
Answer choice (A): As previously discussed, this answer choice is correct choice.
Answer choice (B): This answer choice fails the Fact Test because the argument never discusses the effects that might result from the uncertainty caused by people failing to date new versions of their wills. If you chose answer choice (B), reconsider the identity of the cause and effect described in the stimulus. In the stimulus, people failing to date their wills results in confusion for the executor. That confusion is the "problem" defined by the argument. The argument never discusses the further effects caused by that problem. Accordingly, those further effects are irrelevant to this argument, and it is not a reasoning error to "fail" to discuss something irrelevant to the argument.
Answer choice (C) This answer choice fails the Fact Test, and does so in a tricky, yet common, way. It begins by describing something that occurs in the stimulus, that the proposed solution does not solve the problem. However, this is a feint to lull you into thinking the answer choice will not fail the Fact Test and must be considered on its merits. Don't be fooled! When applying the Fact Test, remember that each component of the answer choice must be something you can prove to yourself is supported by the stimulus. Here, the second clause of the answer choice, that the proposed solution "merely makes someone else responsible for solving the problem," fails the Fact Test. The argument does not describe a shift in responsibility; the problem was and remains that of the executor, not the person drafting the revised will.
Answer choice (D) This answer choice fails the Fact Test, though in a subtle way. The argument concludes that the proposed solution should be implemented in order to resolve a specific problem. It does not claim that this solution would result in a "change for the better" generally speaking. There may be many circumstances in which one would conclude it is "better" that a will revision remain undated, resulting in the exectuor being unable to determine which will is the most recent. That universe of possibilities is not a part of the argument presented in the stimulus. Therefore, failing to consider those posibilities is not a reasoning error.
Answer choice (E) This answer choice fails the Fact Test, because the argument does not mention the unavailability of "a certain action...at the time proposed for that action."
