Logical Reasoning

PT1 · S3 · Q22 The 1980s have been characterized

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The 1980s have been characterized as a period of selfish individualism that threatens the cohesion of society.

Conclusion

The characterization of the 1980s as a period of selfish individualism that threatens social cohesion is true of any time — i.e., the 80s aren't special.

Evidence

Throughout history, all human actions have been motivated by selfishness. Even the simplest "unselfish" acts, on deeper consideration, prove to be instances of selfish concern for the human species.

Evaluate

The argument's opening characterization uses "selfish" in the everyday, individualistic sense — self-interest at the expense of community cohesion. The author's evidence then shifts the meaning of "selfish" to a much broader sense — concern for the species — which is closer to the opposite of self-interest at others' expense. The two uses don't match. The original characterization isn't supported by behavior labeled "selfish" only in this expanded biological/evolutionary sense.

Goal

Find the answer that names the equivocation between two different senses of "selfish."

22.

Which one of the following is a flaw in the argument?

  1. The claim that selfishness has

    Bad Description

    The historical-selfishness claim is in fact relevant — it's the author's main support for the conclusion. The flaw isn't that it's irrelevant; it's that the argument trades on two different meanings of "selfish." If the historical claim used "selfish" in the same sense as the 80s critique, it would be perfectly relevant evidence.

    29% picked this

  2. No statistical evidence is provided

    Bad Description

    The argument doesn't rest on a frequency claim about how often humans act selfishly versus unselfishly. The author makes a universal claim — all actions are selfish (under the broadened definition). Statistics about frequency aren't the missing piece; the equivocation is. Asking for stats misses the actual flaw.

    10% picked this

  3. The argument assumes that selfishness

    Bad Description

    The argument does the opposite — it explicitly says selfishness exists throughout history, not just in the present. The author is denying uniqueness, not assuming it. This answer mischaracterizes what the argument does.

    2% picked this

  4. The argument mentions only humans

    Bad Objection

    The argument is about whether the 80s are uniquely selfish among human eras. Other species don't enter the picture. Mentioning that the argument doesn't cover other species raises an objection that wouldn't actually weaken the human-era claim. It's a non-issue.

    1% picked this

  5. Correct

    The argument relies on two

    Why this is right

    This nails the flaw. "Selfish" in the 80s characterization means self-centered individualism that threatens social cohesion. "Selfish" in the author's historical claim has been redefined as "selfish concern for the human species" — concern for humanity as a whole. Those are two very different senses of the word, and the argument trades on the slide. The premise about all human actions being "selfish" only supports the conclusion if both uses match — and they don't.

    Skill tested: Flaw · how this choice captures the argument's function is the move to repeat next time.

    58% picked this

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