Logical Flaw Flashcards
what is our job in logical flaw questions?
1: in a pure logical flaw question - choose an answer choice that describes a flaw found in the argument
2: in a weaken/logical flaw question - choose an answer that, if true, would weaken the flawed argument
REVIEW: what is an assumption
a piece of information that must be true in order for the support for an argument to be sound - important to keep this definition in mind since in logical flaw questions, many times the arguments are flawed because the authors rely upon assumptions that are unlikely to be true
what is often the right answer to a logical flaw question?
one that points out questionable assumptions made by the authors
screenshot of questions stems:
what does a pure logical flaw question ask us to do?
point out a flaw in the argument as it currently stands without bringing in new information in the correct answer
for a pure logical flaw question is our goal:
1) seek to weaken the argument?
2) highlight an aspect of the argument that is flawed?
2) highlight an aspect of the argument that is flawed.
*typically weaken the argument correct answer choices bring in new information, and that is not what we are trying to do in weaken the argument questions
how to answer hybrid weaken the argument and logical flaw questions?
ensure you are pointing out a flaw in the argument, but the correct answer choice could also be bringing in new information in a way similar to how weaken the argument questions bring in new information
Type 1 of Logical Flaws:
Errors in reasoning involving cause and effect
Type 2 of Logical Flaws:
Over-generalization and sampling flaws (small sample sizes are hard/suspect to make generalizations from)
Type 3 of Logical Flaws:
Confusion related to numbers, percentages, or other numerical information
Type 4 logical flaws:
Conclusions that are not supported by the evidence
Type 5 Logical Flaw:
Confusing necessary or significant information with sufficient information
Necessary vs sufficient conditions?
Necessary condition is one that must be satisfied in order for a conclusions to be correct (but it’s possible there are other necessary conditions ex: plants need water but they also need light)
Sufficient conditions are those that are sufficient to ensure the conclusion is correct/outcome will occur
What are two characteristics of a correct answer to a logical flaw question?
1) describes something the argument does
2) It describes a flaw
What are some things an incorrect answer choice may do?
1) may describe something an argument does, but that thing isn’t a flaw
2) describes something that is a flaw, but not something the argument does
