Logic Breakdown

Passage Summary: Even though our brains create our thoughts, science only explains how the brain is built and how it works mechanically. Because of this limitation, science can't actually explain the feeling of being conscious.

Conclusion: A strictly physical theory is incapable of explaining consciousness.

Reasoning: Physical theories are limited to explaining the structure and function of physical systems, even though consciousness seems to come from physical processes.

Analysis: This is a 'Sufficient Assumption' question, so we need to find a 'missing link' that guarantees the conclusion. The premises tell us what physical theories *can* do (explain structure and function), and the conclusion tells us what they *cannot* do (explain consciousness). The gap is the relationship between consciousness and those physical categories. To make the argument airtight, we need an assumption that states consciousness is not simply a matter of physical structure or function. Look for an answer that bridges this gap by excluding consciousness from the realm of what structure and function can explain.

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5.

The conclusion of the argument follows logically if which one of the following is assumed?

Correct Answer
B
B supplies the missing bridge: if an explanation of consciousness must go beyond explaining physical structures and functions, and strictly physical theories explain only structures and functions, then strictly physical theories cannot explain consciousness.
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