Weaken the Argument

Question 1

Focus on Assumptions

Answer 1

• Assumptions: Attack the assumptions. Correct answers to Weaken questions say things that indicate that assumptions authors have made are invalid.
• Premise & background info: Considered factual. Never try to weaken an argument by attacking the premises or the background info.

Casting a small amount of doubt on the efficacy of the arguments is sufficient to weaken the argument.

Question 2

Weaken ≠ Destroy

Answer 2

We don’t need to find an option that proves the conclusion false, just an option that provides reasonable doubt about the conclusion.

Question 3

New Topics

Answer 3

Don’t eliminate an answer choice just because it brings up a new topic.

Question 4

Weaken Correct Answer:

1) Exposes a False Dichotomy

Answer 4

In making a false dichotomy, the author assumes that there could not be other possibilities. We can weaken the argument by showing that there are, in fact, other possibilities.

Don’t get caught in an either/or mindset.

Question 5

Weaken Correct Answer:

2) Cause-and-Effect Conclusion

Answer 5

Remember correlation ≠ causation. Possible alternate reasons for the existence of correlation:

1. A causal relationship exists but is the reverse of what is stated in the argument (X causes Y rather than Y causes X).
2. A 3rd factor causes both the given factors in the argument, but there is no cause-and-effect relationship between the two variables (Z causes both X and Y).
3. The correlation could be a mere coincidence, and there is no cause-and-effect relationship between the variables.

Question 6

Weaken Correct Answer:

3) Generalization is Faulty

Answer 6

Authors sometimes make generalizations, drawing conclusions about populations by considering small samples of those populations (leading to flawed arguments).

The correct answers can weaken the arguments by showing that the samples are not representative of the populations that the conclusions are about.

Question 7

Weaken Correct Answer:

4) Faulty Comparison

Answer 7

Authors often make faulty comparisons.

Correct answers can indicate that items in the comparison are different in key ways, and that, therefore, the comparison is faulty.

Question 8

Weaken Correct Answer:

5) Confusing Numbers and Percentages

Answer 8

A large percentage doesn’t necessarily mean a large number, and vice versa.

• Small base: small number
• Large base: large number

Question 9

Weaken Correct Answer:

6) New Info Indicating a Plan Won’t Work

Answer 9

When the argument in a Weaken question concludes that a plan will generate certain results, the correct answer will likely weaken the argument by indicating that the course of action will not generate those desired or expected results.
→ Shows that there are malicious variables that will spoil the plan

Categories of answers:

1. The plan addresses one factor in a situation, but the correct answer indicates that there is another factor that the plan doesn’t address.
2. The correct answer indicates that the method that the plan uses to solve a problem makes the problem worse in another way.
3. The argument concludes that the plan will work because a similar plan has worked before, but the correct answer shows that the plan will not work because the current situation is different from the situation existing when the plan was used previously.
4. The correct answer shows that the logic underlying the expectation that the plan will work misses a key aspect of how a situation works.

Question 10

Weaken Correct Answer:

7) Indicates that Plan Will Actually Work

Answer 10

When authors claim that plans will not work or don’t make sense, support for such conclusions can be weakened by correct answers that provide new information that indicates that actually the plans will work or do make sense.

Question 11

Trap Choices in Weaken Questions

Answer 11

Often says something that seems detrimental to the conclusion and that is somehow related to the argument, and at the same time, what the trap choice says is not logically connected to the argument in a way such that the choice actually weakens the argument.

Question 12

Weaken Incorrect Answer Types

Answer 12

1. Strengtheners
2. Pseudo Weakeners
3. Frameshift (casts doubt on a conclusion that’s not the conclusion of the argument)
4. Pertinent but incorrect (mentions things that one would likely consider in the real world)
5. Answers that appear to attack the premises