Flawed ReasoningDiff: Easy
Logic Breakdown
Passage Summary: Because we haven't heard back from any aliens after broadcasting our TV shows into space, the author assumes that no intelligent aliens exist nearby.
Conclusion: There is no extraterrestrial intelligence in any of our neighboring star systems.
Reasoning: Human television signals have reached nearby stars, but we have not received any messages back or seen evidence that our signals were recognized.
Analysis: The argument commits a classic 'absence of evidence' fallacy. The author assumes that because we haven't seen proof of alien life (a reply to our signals), we have proof that alien life does not exist. When looking for the flaw, expect an answer that points out the gap between 'not knowing' and 'knowing not.' There are many reasons why an intelligent civilization might not respond, ranging from a lack of compatible technology to a simple lack of interest in our broadcasts.
Conclusion: There is no extraterrestrial intelligence in any of our neighboring star systems.
Reasoning: Human television signals have reached nearby stars, but we have not received any messages back or seen evidence that our signals were recognized.
Analysis: The argument commits a classic 'absence of evidence' fallacy. The author assumes that because we haven't seen proof of alien life (a reply to our signals), we have proof that alien life does not exist. When looking for the flaw, expect an answer that points out the gap between 'not knowing' and 'knowing not.' There are many reasons why an intelligent civilization might not respond, ranging from a lack of compatible technology to a simple lack of interest in our broadcasts.
Passage Stimulus
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Unlock Full Passage13.The reasoning in the argument is questionable because the argument
Correct Answer
B
It describes the classic argument-from-ignorance flaw: concluding that there is no extraterrestrial intelligence simply because there is no proof (no recognized messages) that there is.
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