Method of ReasoningDiff: Medium
Logic Breakdown
Passage Summary: Someone defined knowledge as a 'true belief from a reliable source.' Critics used 'psychic powers' as a counter-example, but the author argues that we only reject psychics because we don't think they're reliable, not because the definition is bad.
Conclusion: The definition of knowledge as a true belief formed by a reliable process is correct despite the clairvoyance objection.
Reasoning: The reason people reject clairvoyance as knowledge is not because the definition is flawed, but because they do not actually believe clairvoyance is a reliable process.
Analysis: The author defends a general definition by reinterpreting the critics' counter-example to show it doesn't actually apply. Instead of accepting the counter-example as a flaw in the definition, the author argues the example actually reinforces the definition once our underlying skepticism is revealed. You are looking for a description of a strategy where an apparent exception is shown to be consistent with the rule being attacked. The author effectively says, 'The rule is fine; your example just doesn't meet the rule's criteria.'
Conclusion: The definition of knowledge as a true belief formed by a reliable process is correct despite the clairvoyance objection.
Reasoning: The reason people reject clairvoyance as knowledge is not because the definition is flawed, but because they do not actually believe clairvoyance is a reliable process.
Analysis: The author defends a general definition by reinterpreting the critics' counter-example to show it doesn't actually apply. Instead of accepting the counter-example as a flaw in the definition, the author argues the example actually reinforces the definition once our underlying skepticism is revealed. You are looking for a description of a strategy where an apparent exception is shown to be consistent with the rule being attacked. The author effectively says, 'The rule is fine; your example just doesn't meet the rule's criteria.'
Passage Stimulus
Passage Redacted
Unlock Full Passage8.Which one of the following most accurately describes the essayist's method of defending the definition against the objection?
Correct Answer
A
The essayist points out the objection is driven by disbelief in clairvoyance’s reliability, not by a flaw in the definition of knowledge. If one accepted clairvoyance as reliable, the definition would count such beliefs as knowledge.
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