Logical reasoning PrepTest 145 · Section 4 · Question 12

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed

Question Type:
Errors in Reasoning

Stimulus Summary:
Critics Ð The movie will make people act irresponsibly
Counter Ð This is based on flawed surveys
Conclusion Ð The movie won't make people act irresponsibly

Answer Anticipation:
First, it's important to rephrase the conclusion to reflect the author's actual beliefs. Here, in stating that the critics' claim is "untrue," the author is committed to the opposite view—that the movie won't cause irresponsible actions.

Why does the author believe this to be the case? Because the opposing argument is based on survey data that is deeply flawed. In other words, the premises of the opposing argument are bad.

However, just because the argument for an opposing view is bad doesn't mean their conclusion is false—it's possible that they were right despite the bad argument. In undermining their argument and then concluding the opposite of their conclusion to be true, the author is committing an absence of evidence flaw.

Answer Explanation:
This answer reflects the absence of evidence flaw. The author points out that the evidence offered in support of a view is "deeply flawed," and then uses that to not only dismiss the argument but also the conclusion. A bad argument can still have a true conclusion.

Key Takeaway:
Whenever an Errors in Reasoning question features an argument with a main point that's the opposite of an opposing point, consider an absence of evidence flaw. Does the author reach her conclusion by highlighting a shortcoming of the opposing point? If so, that proves the conclusion might be wrong, but not that it is wrong.

Incorrect. The conclusion reaches two separate considerations—that the claims are untrue, and that they are damaging. As such, the author doesn't connect those two concepts and claim that being untrue is a necessary part of damaging reputation.

Incorrect. The argument points out that the opposing view is based on flawed data—while that data might have had a sampling error, there's no indication that's what the flaw was. Additionally, the author isn't the one relying on that data.

Incorrect. The author attacks the source of the premises used by the opposing point, so she does address their argument and therefore doesn't commit an ad hominem flaw.

Incorrect. This answer is the opposite of what we're looking for (though this, too, is a flaw). We want an answer stating that the argument fails to consider that, even if an argument's premises are false (or at least unsupported), then the conclusion may nonetheless be true.