Logical reasoning PrepTest 120 · Section 1 · Question 8

Incorrect. The studies noted by the Fortune-teller didn't show that many people lack ESP—it just failed to prove that there is no such thing as ESP. The details of that failure aren't noted.

Incorrect. In introducing the number of attempts with, "Furthermore," the argument suggests that it isn't the only factor. It's certainly a relevant factor, but the argument doesn't put it forward as the only factor.

Incorrect. The stimulus notes that the studies failed to prove that ESP doesn't exist, but it doesn't state what the conclusions of those studies were. They may have failed to reach any conclusions.

Incorrect. The Fortune-teller establishes that no existing scientific studies have proved whether ESP exists, but she doesn't assume that it's impossible to do so. She only believes that the failure to disprove its existence can prove it.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed

Question Type:
Errors in Reasoning

Stimulus Summary:
Scientists, in numerous attempts, haven't shown that ESP doesn't exist, so it must exist.

Answer Anticipation:
This argument falls into a classic flawed pattern of reasoning. The Fortune-teller reaches a conclusion that is the polar opposite of another viewpoint. Many believe that ESP doesn't exist, and they've attempted to show that to be true. However, they've failed, and so it must exist.

When an argument uses the failure of an opposing point to establish its conclusion or a shortcoming in that argument to prove the opposite conclusion, the argument is committing an Absence of Evidence flaw. Let's look for an answer stating that the argument treats a failure to disprove a view (ESP exists) as establishing that the view is true.

Answer Explanation:
This answer describes an absence of evidence flaw. The Fortune-teller doesn't offer evidence ESP exists—she shows that attempts to prove the opposite have failed. As such, there's no definitive evidence for or against the existence of ESP, and so the argument is flawed in treating this failure to disprove a phenomenon as evidence that the phenomenon exists.

Key Takeaway:
A solid sign that you might just be dealing with an absence of evidence flaw is that the argument reaches the polar opposite conclusion of an opposing point. If that conclusion is based on the opposing point's argument being flawed or incomplete, then this flaw is present.