Flawed ReasoningDiff: Medium
Logic Breakdown
Passage Summary: A journalist argues that we should ignore a doctor's criticism of a book because the doctor works for the company the book is attacking.
Conclusion: The physician's critique of the book does not provide a valid reason to reject the book's claims about the drug's side effects.
Reasoning: The physician is employed by the company that makes the drug and therefore has a personal interest in denying that the drug is dangerous.
Analysis: The journalist is guilty of a classic 'ad hominem' or source-bias flaw. Instead of addressing the actual evidence or logic of the physician's critique, the journalist simply points to the physician's employment as a reason to dismiss the argument entirely. In the world of logic, a biased person can still tell the truth or make a valid point. Look for an answer that identifies this failure to address the substance of the critique itself. It's like saying a chef's recipe must be bad just because they want you to buy their cookbook—it doesn't actually mean the food tastes bad.
Conclusion: The physician's critique of the book does not provide a valid reason to reject the book's claims about the drug's side effects.
Reasoning: The physician is employed by the company that makes the drug and therefore has a personal interest in denying that the drug is dangerous.
Analysis: The journalist is guilty of a classic 'ad hominem' or source-bias flaw. Instead of addressing the actual evidence or logic of the physician's critique, the journalist simply points to the physician's employment as a reason to dismiss the argument entirely. In the world of logic, a biased person can still tell the truth or make a valid point. Look for an answer that identifies this failure to address the substance of the critique itself. It's like saying a chef's recipe must be bad just because they want you to buy their cookbook—it doesn't actually mean the food tastes bad.
Passage Stimulus
Passage Redacted
Unlock Full Passage12.The reasoning in the journalist's argument is most vulnerable to criticism on which one of the following grounds?
Correct Answer
D
D identifies the flaw: the argument assumes that because the physician likely has personal reasons to deny the drug’s danger, the critique cannot provide legitimate grounds—overlooking that a biased person could still present good evidence and valid reasoning.
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