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- Fri Apr 15, 2016 4:49 pm
#23167
Complete Question Explanation
Flaw in the Reasoning. The correct answer choice is (D)
In this stimulus a classic Flaw is demonstrated in dialogue form. The physicist makes a scientific argument, saying that a claim in false because it is based on inaccurate measurements and calculations. The chemist, however, does not address the scientific argument at all; he attacks the physicist. This is known as the ad hominem, or "to the person," logical fallacy. The question stem then asks for the flaw in the chemist's argument.
Answer choice (A) The chemist does not restate any claim in his response, so this cannot be the correct answer.
Answer choice (B) Although this answer mentions measurements and calculations, this would not be the strongest criticism for which the question stem asks. The chemist does not even try to establish their accuracy, so the failure to do so would not be a flaw in his reasoning.
Answer choice (C) The chemist uses the word "solve" twice, but it has the same meaning both times.
Answer choice (D): This is the correct answer choice. His argument is directed not at the physicist's argument, but rather at his claim about the inaccuracies.
Answer choice (E) There is no contradiction in the chemist's response; he is simply attacking the physicist.
Flaw in the Reasoning. The correct answer choice is (D)
In this stimulus a classic Flaw is demonstrated in dialogue form. The physicist makes a scientific argument, saying that a claim in false because it is based on inaccurate measurements and calculations. The chemist, however, does not address the scientific argument at all; he attacks the physicist. This is known as the ad hominem, or "to the person," logical fallacy. The question stem then asks for the flaw in the chemist's argument.
Answer choice (A) The chemist does not restate any claim in his response, so this cannot be the correct answer.
Answer choice (B) Although this answer mentions measurements and calculations, this would not be the strongest criticism for which the question stem asks. The chemist does not even try to establish their accuracy, so the failure to do so would not be a flaw in his reasoning.
Answer choice (C) The chemist uses the word "solve" twice, but it has the same meaning both times.
Answer choice (D): This is the correct answer choice. His argument is directed not at the physicist's argument, but rather at his claim about the inaccuracies.
Answer choice (E) There is no contradiction in the chemist's response; he is simply attacking the physicist.