PrepTest 129

Incorrect. The Columnist's argument is about using external factors to determine someone is morally blameworthy, so "without considering all of the circumstances" doesn't reflect the stimulus.

Incorrect. The Columnist doesn't weigh in on whether weighing external factors when assigning moral blame is "fair."

Incorrect. In stating that the chef in the example would be guilty of "serious" moral negligence, the Columnist suggests she believes there are multiple levels of blame, and thus this answer about equal blame isn't illustrated by her comments.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Valid

Question Type:
Illustration

Stimulus Summary:
Common claim: Intentions are the only factors that determine moral guilt

Rebuttal examples:
(1) A chef that absentmindedly puts an odd ingredient in a stew - not immoral
(2) A chef that absentmindedly puts an odd ingredient in a stew that kills someone allergic to it - many would think her morally guilty
Conclusion - External circumstances also often play a role in moral judgment

Answer Anticipation:
This question is interesting in that it almost feels as if it's trying to misdirect us from how much information it gives us in the stimulus. There, it starts with a common claim—and when an argument raises a common claim, it almost always pivots away from it.

Here, it pivots to a generalization about how we make moral judgments, and then it gives us an example of that generalization. Since the question stem asks us to find a proposition that is best illustrated by the statements, and the statements themselves give us a proposition that's illustrated by an example, we should focus on that provided proposition to anticipate the answer!

And that proposition is that external factors sometimes factor into moral judgments. Let's find an answer that repeats that proposition.

Answer Explanation:
This answer reflects the example and the Columnist's conclusion/proposition. The chef who accidentally killed someone was held morally blameworthy despite the fact that a customer's allergy is beyond her control. That's reflected in the conclusion stating that external circumstances—factors outside of intentional control—play a role in moral judgment. This proposition is both illustrated by the example and repetitive of the conclusion, so it's the correct answer.

Key Takeaway:
Illustration questions will generally present an example in the stimulus and then a generalization from it in the answer choices. When one gives you the generalization in the stimulus, it's provided the answer for you, so take it!

Incorrect. The Columnist states that external factors are "often" crucial in a moral judgment, which leaves plenty of room for intentions to play a decisive role more than "rarely." In fact, the first "half" of the chef example has the lack of intention to put the weird ingredient in the stew determining that that action isn't morally blameworthy!