Flawed ReasoningDiff: Hard
Logic Breakdown
Passage Summary: A columnist thinks the jury didn't believe a witness because the witness thinks the guy is guilty, but the jury let him go.
Conclusion: At least some members of the jury did not find Tagowa's testimony to be credible.
Reasoning: Tagowa believes the defendant is guilty, but the jury acquitted him.
Analysis: This argument assumes that Tagowa's testimony must have been an assertion of the defendant's guilt. However, a witness might provide perfectly credible facts that simply aren't enough to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The columnist is conflating the witness's personal opinion with the content or impact of her legal testimony. Look for an answer that highlights this gap between what a witness says and what they believe.
Conclusion: At least some members of the jury did not find Tagowa's testimony to be credible.
Reasoning: Tagowa believes the defendant is guilty, but the jury acquitted him.
Analysis: This argument assumes that Tagowa's testimony must have been an assertion of the defendant's guilt. However, a witness might provide perfectly credible facts that simply aren't enough to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The columnist is conflating the witness's personal opinion with the content or impact of her legal testimony. Look for an answer that highlights this gap between what a witness says and what they believe.
Passage Stimulus
Passage Redacted
Unlock Full Passage13.Which one of the following describes a flaw in the columnist's reasoning?
Correct Answer
A
It highlights the core gap: a witness may personally believe the defendant is guilty even though their actual testimony does not implicate the defendant. Thus, an acquittal doesn’t prove that some jurors disbelieved her testimony.
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