Flawed ReasoningDiff: Medium
Logic Breakdown
Passage Summary: People used to think we were special because we were at the center of everything. Since we now know we aren't at the center, we must not be special.
Conclusion: The historical belief that Earth and its inhabitants are significant is incorrect.
Reasoning: The original reason for believing in Earth's importance—that it is the center of the universe—has been proven scientifically false.
Analysis: This is a classic 'error of reasoning' where the author confuses the evidence for a claim with the claim itself. Just because the original reason for a belief is proven wrong doesn't mean the belief itself is false; there could be other reasons humans are important that have nothing to do with spatial location. The essayist assumes that being at the center of the universe is the only possible justification for human significance. Look for an answer that points out that a conclusion can still be true even if the initial evidence used to support it is debunked.
Conclusion: The historical belief that Earth and its inhabitants are significant is incorrect.
Reasoning: The original reason for believing in Earth's importance—that it is the center of the universe—has been proven scientifically false.
Analysis: This is a classic 'error of reasoning' where the author confuses the evidence for a claim with the claim itself. Just because the original reason for a belief is proven wrong doesn't mean the belief itself is false; there could be other reasons humans are important that have nothing to do with spatial location. The essayist assumes that being at the center of the universe is the only possible justification for human significance. Look for an answer that points out that a conclusion can still be true even if the initial evidence used to support it is debunked.
Passage Stimulus
Passage Redacted
Unlock Full Passage12.A flaw in the essayist's argument is that the argument
Correct Answer
B
The argument assumes that because the original reason for the belief was mistaken, the belief itself must be false. It ignores that a claim can be true even if supported by a poor reason.
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