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- Mon May 02, 2016 3:11 pm
#23772
Complete Question Explanation
Flaw in the Reasoning. The correct answer choice is (D)
The author concludes that the writers of etiquette books are wrong to classify behaviors as correct or incorrect, because standards of politeness vary from culture to culture. But what if each writer were only concerned with classifying various behaviors as “polite” or “rude” according to the norms of his or her own culture? These writers are under no obligation to consider the standards of politeness in other cultures. Answer choice (D) is therefore correct.
Answer choice (A): The author provides no information about how people actually behave: she merely criticizes the etiquette book writers for reaching absurd conclusions about how people ought to behave. This answer choice is incorrect.
Answer choice (B): The scope of the conclusion is the same as that of the premise: both deal with “numerous” books. Since the author makes a general observation in her premise, it is reasonable to draw a conclusion that applies generally to all etiquette book writers. This answer choice is incorrect.
Answer choice (C): It is unclear what assumptions regarding the influence of rules of etiquette on individual behavior the author must have made. Understanding individual behavior is outside the scope of this argument.
Answer choice (D): This is the correct answer choice. See discussion above.
Answer choice (E): While labeling the position of the etiquette book writers as “absurd” may seem harsh, this is not a logical flaw. This answer choice is incorrect.
Flaw in the Reasoning. The correct answer choice is (D)
The author concludes that the writers of etiquette books are wrong to classify behaviors as correct or incorrect, because standards of politeness vary from culture to culture. But what if each writer were only concerned with classifying various behaviors as “polite” or “rude” according to the norms of his or her own culture? These writers are under no obligation to consider the standards of politeness in other cultures. Answer choice (D) is therefore correct.
Answer choice (A): The author provides no information about how people actually behave: she merely criticizes the etiquette book writers for reaching absurd conclusions about how people ought to behave. This answer choice is incorrect.
Answer choice (B): The scope of the conclusion is the same as that of the premise: both deal with “numerous” books. Since the author makes a general observation in her premise, it is reasonable to draw a conclusion that applies generally to all etiquette book writers. This answer choice is incorrect.
Answer choice (C): It is unclear what assumptions regarding the influence of rules of etiquette on individual behavior the author must have made. Understanding individual behavior is outside the scope of this argument.
Answer choice (D): This is the correct answer choice. See discussion above.
Answer choice (E): While labeling the position of the etiquette book writers as “absurd” may seem harsh, this is not a logical flaw. This answer choice is incorrect.