Principle JustifyDiff: Medium
Logic Breakdown
Passage Summary: An advice columnist says parents shouldn't teach kids to focus on beating others because it makes them bitter and unhappy.
Conclusion: Parents should avoid encouraging their children to value outdoing others.
Reasoning: Valuing competition leads to resentment and creates a persistent, difficult-to-satisfy desire for achievement that reduces overall happiness.
Analysis: To justify this advice, we need a principle that connects the negative outcomes mentioned (resentment and unhappiness) to the recommendation (don't encourage the behavior). The argument assumes that if a motivation leads to unhappiness or social friction, it is a motivation that should not be fostered. Look for a principle that bridges this gap, likely stating that parents should not encourage traits that are detrimental to a child's long-term well-being.
Conclusion: Parents should avoid encouraging their children to value outdoing others.
Reasoning: Valuing competition leads to resentment and creates a persistent, difficult-to-satisfy desire for achievement that reduces overall happiness.
Analysis: To justify this advice, we need a principle that connects the negative outcomes mentioned (resentment and unhappiness) to the recommendation (don't encourage the behavior). The argument assumes that if a motivation leads to unhappiness or social friction, it is a motivation that should not be fostered. Look for a principle that bridges this gap, likely stating that parents should not encourage traits that are detrimental to a child's long-term well-being.
Passage Stimulus
Passage Redacted
Unlock Full Passage17.Which one of the following principles, if valid, most helps to justify the reasoning in the advice columnist's argument?
Correct Answer
C
C states a general rule: don’t encourage someone to acquire a trait if having it would make that person less happy. Since the columnist argues that valuing outdoing others makes one less happy, this principle directly justifies the conclusion that parents should not encourage that value.
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