#20 - Professor Beckstein: American Sign Language is the

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Complete Question Explanation

Method of Reasoning. The correct answer choice is (A)

Professor Beckstein’s argument can be summarized as follows:

• Premise: Sign Language is the native language of many Americans
  
  Sub. Conclusion: Sign Language is not a foreign language
  
  Conclusion: Sign language does not satisfy the foreign language requirement

Professor Sedley counters Beckstein’s argument by pointing out that even though French and Spanish are also the native languages of many students, they do satisfy the foreign language requirement and would be ridiculous to begin prohibiting them from doing so. In other words, Sedley tries to show that the adoption of Beckstein’s criteria for prohibiting a language from satisfying the foreign language requirement can have undesirable ramifications. Answer choice (A) provides the best description of this argumentative technique and is therefore correct.

Answer choice (A): This is the correct answer choice. See discussion above.

Answer choice (B): Sedley does not question the evidence presented in support of Beckstein’s argument; he tries to undermine his conclusion by examining the absurd ramifications it can lead to. This answer choice is incorrect.

Answer choice (C): Professor Sedley does not commit a Source Argument flaw in the reasoning. He does not question Beckstein’s authority to address the issue under discussion.

Answer choice (D): Professor Sedley does not offer an alternative cause for prohibiting sign language from satisfying the foreign language requirement. This answer choice is incorrect.

Answer choice (E): Professor Sedley certainly does not agree with Beckstein’s conclusion. He offers analogous evidence to arrive at a different conclusion. This answer choice is incorrect.