Logical reasoning PrepTest 117 · Section 3 · Question 14

Incorrect. This answer is very tempting, but it goes a bit too far. While bias isn't enough to discount the Mayor's view, the bias is relevant in assessing the argument. Someone having a motive to lie would suggest that you should be skeptical of their claims, even if those claims may be correct, so this answer is too strong.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed

Question Type:
Main Point

Stimulus Summary:
The city needs money, but the Mayor refuses to impose real estate development fees.
Mayor — The fees are so high that new buildings won't be built and we'll lose money
CC Member — The Mayor's family is in real estate and would lose money if the fees pass
Conclusion — The Mayor is putting family over city

Answer Anticipation:
There's a common error in reasoning present in the Council Member's argument, so if you didn't spot it here, you should add it to your mental list of flaws to see when they're present. Here, instead of going after the Mayor's argument that the fees would decrease revenue, the Council Member focuses on a potential source of bias in the Mayor's argument. In ignoring his argument and focusing on something personal to him, the Council Member is Attacking the Person. There are a few variations (insults; accusations of bias; accusations of hypocrisy), and this argument is specifically an accusation of bias.

However, just because the Mayor is biased doesn't mean that he's wrong. Someone selling patches that helps you to quit smoking is right when they say smoking is unhealthy, even though it's personally advantageous for them if you believe it! Let's find an answer describing this specific attack on the person flaw.

Answer Explanation:
This answer highlights the reason that an attack on someone's motives/a bias as the sole reason for discounting their view is flawed. While the bias may justify increased scrutiny, it doesn't by itself mean that they're not looking out for the interests of others. Someone's personal interests may align with broader interests, and so the Mayor may have an interest in keeping real estate development fees low or nonexistent while that's also what's best for the city.

Key Takeaway:
Accusing someone of bias or self—interest is one common version of the Attacking the Person flaw. However, note that such attacks aren't irrelevant to the argument—they warrant increased scrutiny, just not the dismissal of the argument completely.

Incorrect. This answer is wrong for the same reason that the Council Member's argument is flawed! Even if she is biased here, her criticisms may be correct, so there's no need to establish that she's without a personal interest.

Incorrect. The argument isn't over a right to development fees, so this answer is out of scope.

Incorrect. Whether the Mayor's family is in dire financial straits is immaterial to whether he's putting personal interests above the city's. In fact, if his family has a particularly large interest in this not happening, that may even make the Council Member's argument stronger!