Flawed ReasoningDiff: Hardest

Logic Breakdown

Passage Summary: If you look up at people better than you, you feel bad about yourself; if you look down at people worse than you, you become arrogant. Therefore, if you just stop comparing yourself to anyone, you'll probably be a well-adjusted, accepting person.

Conclusion: People who generally avoid comparing themselves to others will likely be self-accepting and accepting of others.

Reasoning: Comparing oneself to more successful people leads to self-disparagement, while comparing oneself to less successful people leads to being dismissive of others.

Analysis: The counselor is committing a classic logical error known as an 'inverse' flaw. Just because a specific action (comparing yourself to others) leads to a negative result, it doesn't mean that avoiding that action will automatically lead to a positive result. It’s like saying 'If you run in the rain, you'll get wet; therefore, if you don't run in the rain, you'll be dry'—ignoring the fact that you could be standing in a swimming pool. Look for an answer that points out this failure to consider that other factors could still prevent self-acceptance.

Passage Stimulus

Passage Redacted

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23.

The counselor's reasoning is most vulnerable to criticism because it

Correct Answer
D
D identifies the central omission: self-disparagement and dismissiveness might stem from other causes. If so, refraining from comparisons would not ensure self-acceptance or acceptance of others, undermining the conclusion.
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