Flawed ReasoningDiff: Hardest
Logic Breakdown
Passage Summary: The author says you can't have a system where bad people get what's coming to them unless souls live forever. Then, they conclude that if souls do live forever, bad people will definitely be punished.
Conclusion: If human souls are immortal, then bad people will definitely be punished.
Reasoning: A moral order, where bad is punished and good is rewarded, cannot exist without immortal souls.
Analysis: The essayist has fallen into the classic trap of confusing a necessary condition with a sufficient one. The first sentence tells us that immortal souls are a requirement for a moral order (Moral Order → Immortal Souls). However, the conclusion acts as if having immortal souls is enough to guarantee that a moral order exists (Immortal Souls → Moral Order). Just because you have the ingredients for a cake doesn't mean a cake has been baked; similarly, just because souls are immortal doesn't mean the universe is actually handing out punishments. Look for an answer that identifies this specific logical error.
Conclusion: If human souls are immortal, then bad people will definitely be punished.
Reasoning: A moral order, where bad is punished and good is rewarded, cannot exist without immortal souls.
Analysis: The essayist has fallen into the classic trap of confusing a necessary condition with a sufficient one. The first sentence tells us that immortal souls are a requirement for a moral order (Moral Order → Immortal Souls). However, the conclusion acts as if having immortal souls is enough to guarantee that a moral order exists (Immortal Souls → Moral Order). Just because you have the ingredients for a cake doesn't mean a cake has been baked; similarly, just because souls are immortal doesn't mean the universe is actually handing out punishments. Look for an answer that identifies this specific logical error.
Passage Stimulus
Passage Redacted
Unlock Full Passage23.Which one of the following most accurately describes a flaw in the essayist's reasoning?
Correct Answer
A
The argument infers from ‘immortal souls are necessary for moral order’ that ‘immortal souls are sufficient for an aspect of moral order (bad punished).’ That is treating a necessary condition as if it guaranteed the outcome.
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