Flawed ReasoningDiff: Easy
Logic Breakdown
Passage Summary: The author thinks a theory about people acting for their own benefit is wrong because people often end up with no benefit at all.
Conclusion: Rational-choice theory is incorrect.
Reasoning: The theory states people act for expected personal benefit, but the author points to examples where people receive no actual benefit from their actions.
Analysis: The author is confusing what someone *hopes* will happen with what *actually* happens. Just because I bought a lottery ticket and lost (no benefit) doesn't mean I didn't buy it because I *expected* to win (expected benefit). It's like saying a weather forecast is 'incorrect' because it rained on your parade, even though the forecast only said there was a 10% chance. Look for an answer that identifies this failure to distinguish between the intent behind an action and its eventual result.
Conclusion: Rational-choice theory is incorrect.
Reasoning: The theory states people act for expected personal benefit, but the author points to examples where people receive no actual benefit from their actions.
Analysis: The author is confusing what someone *hopes* will happen with what *actually* happens. Just because I bought a lottery ticket and lost (no benefit) doesn't mean I didn't buy it because I *expected* to win (expected benefit). It's like saying a weather forecast is 'incorrect' because it rained on your parade, even though the forecast only said there was a 10% chance. Look for an answer that identifies this failure to distinguish between the intent behind an action and its eventual result.
Passage Stimulus
Passage Redacted
Unlock Full Passage7.The argument above is most vulnerable to criticism on the grounds that it
Correct Answer
E
Exactly identifies the flaw: the argument ignores that actions yielding no personal benefit might still have been taken with an expectation of personal benefit, which is what RCT requires.
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