Flawed ReasoningDiff: hard
Logic Breakdown
Passage Summary: Historians say they are as objective as scientists, but the reviewer thinks they're full of it because some history books are clearly biased and incorrect.
Conclusion: The claims of objectivity made by many historians regarding their subject matter should be rejected.
Reasoning: There are documented cases where historical explanations were false and reflected the ideological prejudices of the authors.
Analysis: The reviewer is guilty of a classic overgeneralization. Just because some historians have failed to be objective doesn't mean that the entire profession's claim to objectivity is a sham. It’s like saying no one can ever be a good driver just because you saw a few people get into fender benders this morning. Look for an answer choice that identifies this move from 'some are biased' to 'none are objective.'
Conclusion: The claims of objectivity made by many historians regarding their subject matter should be rejected.
Reasoning: There are documented cases where historical explanations were false and reflected the ideological prejudices of the authors.
Analysis: The reviewer is guilty of a classic overgeneralization. Just because some historians have failed to be objective doesn't mean that the entire profession's claim to objectivity is a sham. It’s like saying no one can ever be a good driver just because you saw a few people get into fender benders this morning. Look for an answer choice that identifies this move from 'some are biased' to 'none are objective.'
Passage Stimulus
Passage Redacted
Unlock Full Passage19.The reviewer's reasoning is most vulnerable to criticism on the grounds that it
Correct Answer
D
The reviewer presumes, without showing, that some prejudiced historical work was written by those claiming objectivity. That assumption is required to move from “biased, false explanations exist” to “we cannot accept these particular proclamations of objectivity.”
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