Logical reasoning PrepTest 110 · Section 3 · Question 10

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed

Question Type:
Errors in Reasoning

Stimulus Summary:
People's intellects aren't a fit for large bureaucratic societies so they can be happy only in small villages and the like.

Answer Anticipation:
New concepts that show up in conclusion are generally related to the assumption of the argument. Here both key terms in the conclusion don't show up in the premises!

First the premise is about places where people aren't intellectually well—suited and it then concludes something about people not being happy there. However there's no link established between living in a place where you're not intellectually well—suited and being unhappy! The argument assumes that you won't be so that's a potential answer.

Second the premise is about large bureaucratic societies but the conclusion is about people "only" being happy in smaller political units. There's no indication that the only two options are large bureaucratic societies and smaller units. Maybe all smaller units are situated within large bureaucratic societies; maybe there are large non—bureaucratic societies. The argument is assuming that these smaller units are the only alternatives to the large bureaucratic societies so this is another potential answer.

Answer Explanation:
This answer brings up the first gap in the argument. The premise establishes that someone in a large bureaucratic society isn't intellectually well—suited to it but it jumps to a conclusion about happiness. The argument assumes that these ideas are linked as this answer states.

Key Takeaway:
When an argument brings up a new concept in its conclusion that new concept is related to the assumption. A valid conclusion can't be reached unless a premise establishes something about all the concepts in it!

Incorrect. The Philosopher doesn't discuss the purpose of these societies and political units, just the effect they have on people living in them as far as happiness is concerned. Outcomes and motives/purpose don't necessarily align.

Incorrect. First, the argument talks about "bureaucratic" societies not excessively bureaucratic ones. Second the argument discusses societies that are both large and bureaucratic but it doesn't assume that those characteristics always go together—if it did it would jump between the ideas instead of characterizing societies as both. For instance if the premise were about large societies and the conclusion jumped to bureaucratic ones then this answer could be correct (with "excessive" removed).

Incorrect. This answer is a reversal of the conclusion. The conclusion establishes living in a smaller political unit as a necessary condition for happiness ("only in") not a sufficient one as this answer states.

Incorrect. The argument isn't about willingness, just the effect of living in different places. If not everyone is willing to move to a small village, it's still possible that they're the only places where people can be happy.