Logic Breakdown

Passage Summary: A consultant thinks that since schools started because of cheap books, and books are now being replaced by the internet and digital media, schools as we know them are going to go extinct.

Conclusion: The traditional model of schooling is destined to disappear because electronic media is replacing printed books.

Reasoning: Traditional schools were originally enabled by the availability of cheap books, and since books are now being replaced by digital media, the school system that relied on them must also vanish.

Analysis: This argument suffers from a 'necessity vs. sufficiency' confusion regarding historical origins. Just because cheap books facilitated or helped start the traditional school doesn't mean they are the only thing keeping schools alive today. The consultant assumes that if the original catalyst for an institution is replaced, the institution itself must collapse. Look for an answer that points out that an institution might find new reasons to exist even after its founding conditions have changed.

Passage Stimulus

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16.

The reasoning in the consultant's argument is flawed because it

Correct Answer
D
The argument mistakes something that enabled the institution to arise (inexpensive printed books) for something necessary to the institution’s survival, so replacing books with electronic media does not entail the end of traditional schools.
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