Flawed ReasoningDiff: Hardest
Logic Breakdown
Passage Summary: A farmer says that because organic farming is less efficient than using chemicals, we have to stop organic farming from growing any further to avoid starving the world.
Conclusion: To ensure there is enough food for everyone, organic farming practices should not expand beyond their current level.
Reasoning: Organic farming produces less food per acre than artificial fertilizer methods, and switching entirely to organic would result in a food shortage.
Analysis: This argument suffers from a classic 'all-or-nothing' flaw. The farmer proves that a *total* shift to organic farming would be a disaster, but then concludes that *any* further increase in organic farming must be stopped. It ignores the possibility that we could increase organic farming to some degree without reaching the point of a global food shortage. Look for an answer that points out the argument treats a partial increase as if it would inevitably lead to the same result as a total replacement.
Conclusion: To ensure there is enough food for everyone, organic farming practices should not expand beyond their current level.
Reasoning: Organic farming produces less food per acre than artificial fertilizer methods, and switching entirely to organic would result in a food shortage.
Analysis: This argument suffers from a classic 'all-or-nothing' flaw. The farmer proves that a *total* shift to organic farming would be a disaster, but then concludes that *any* further increase in organic farming must be stopped. It ignores the possibility that we could increase organic farming to some degree without reaching the point of a global food shortage. Look for an answer that points out the argument treats a partial increase as if it would inevitably lead to the same result as a total replacement.
Passage Stimulus
Passage Redacted
Unlock Full Passage21.The reasoning in the farmer's argument is most vulnerable to criticism on which one of the following grounds?
Correct Answer
B
It correctly identifies the gap: the farmer assumes that further spread implies universal or sufficiently widespread adoption to cause food shortages. If many farmers would not adopt organic even as it spreads, then we could still produce enough food, and the conclusion does not follow.
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