PrepTest 126

Incorrect. In claiming their evidence is inconclusive and that they've failed to demonstrate the falsity of the thesis, the Astronomer is addressing the argument, not the opponents themselves.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed

Question Type:
Errors in Reasoning

Stimulus Summary:
A: Others have failed to prove that my thesis is wrong, so they should admit I'm right.

Answer Anticipation:
The Astronomer here addresses opponents" who believe that her argument is wrong. However, they've failed to prove it incorrect, presenting "inconclusive" evidence. From this, the Astronomer concludes that her thesis is correct.

This argument falls into a common pattern of reasoning—whenever an opposing viewpoint is dismissed as wrong because it's inconclusive, the argument commits an absence of evidence flaw. While their inability to disprove the Astronomer's thesis does support that the thesis might be right, it doesn't allow the conclusion drawn here that the thesis is correct. The opponents could be correct despite having inconclusive evidence.

Answer Explanation:
This answer highlights the jump the Astronomer makes from a premise about those trying to disprove her thesis having inconclusive evidence to her thesis being conclusively proven correct. That's an absence of evidence flaw, as described in this answer.

Key Takeaway:
When a conclusion is reached that contradicts an opposing view, and the only evidence is that the opposing view isn't valid, there's an absence of evidence flaw.

Incorrect. The Astronomer doesn't ignore the possibility that alternative explanations exist—she assumes that those alternative explanations are wrong.

Incorrect. The Astronomer doesn't take issue with the opponents questioning her thesis to begin with. Instead, she treats their failure to disprove her thesis as proof that it's correct.

Incorrect. Meteoroids have a specific definition, and there's no indication the Astronomer means anything besides that.