Flawed ReasoningDiff: Easy
Logic Breakdown
Passage Summary: A scientist noticed that back in the 1500s, it was both very polluted and very hot at the same time, so they concluded the pollution caused the heat.
Conclusion: Atmospheric pollution was the cause of the increase in global temperatures during the 1500s.
Reasoning: Ice core data indicates that a period of high pollution occurred at the same time as a period of high global temperatures.
Analysis: The scientist is guilty of the 'after this, therefore because of this' (or in this case, 'with this, therefore because of this') fallacy. Just because two things happen at the same time doesn't mean one caused the other. To identify the flaw, look for an answer that points out the failure to consider other causes or the possibility that the relationship is reversed (maybe the heat caused the pollution). The argument ignores the possibility that the correlation is purely coincidental.
Conclusion: Atmospheric pollution was the cause of the increase in global temperatures during the 1500s.
Reasoning: Ice core data indicates that a period of high pollution occurred at the same time as a period of high global temperatures.
Analysis: The scientist is guilty of the 'after this, therefore because of this' (or in this case, 'with this, therefore because of this') fallacy. Just because two things happen at the same time doesn't mean one caused the other. To identify the flaw, look for an answer that points out the failure to consider other causes or the possibility that the relationship is reversed (maybe the heat caused the pollution). The argument ignores the possibility that the correlation is purely coincidental.
Passage Stimulus
Passage Redacted
Unlock Full Passage4.The reasoning in the scientist's argument is most vulnerable to criticism on the grounds that the argument
Correct Answer
E
The argument infers causation merely from an observed association in time; it does not rule out other causes or show a mechanism linking pollution to temperature in that period.
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