Logical Reasoning

PT101 · S2 · Q20 Anthropological studies indicate

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Anthropological studies indicate that distinct cultures differ in their moral codes.

Conclusion

As long as there are distinct cultures, there are no values shared across cultures.

Evidence

Distinct cultures differ in their moral codes.

Evaluate

Given that ... each culture has a unique moral code How could it be that ... distinct cultures could have shared values?

Well, just because two moral codes are different doesn't mean they're entirely different. They could still have overlapping features.

Goal

Get rid of four answers that help us argue that .

(We could also weaken with an answer that just makes it sounds like the anthropological studies are giving us bad data)

20.

Each of the following, if true, would weaken the argument except:

  1. Anthropologists rely on inadequate translation

    Weakens

    Wow, right out of the gate, attacking the evidence rather than the reasoning. This weakens by making the anthropological study seem to have bad (inadequate) data. This hurts the argument by calling into question whether anthropologists have successfully determined that distinct cultures differ in their moral codes. After all, the anthro's are relying on inadequate translation techniques.

    9% picked this

  2. Correct

    As a result of advancing

    Why this is right

    This doesn't help us argue that the anthropologists have given us bad data, nor does it help us argue that "even if each culture is distinct, there might still be some shared values". This is talking about a hypothetical world in which we "all share the same culture". It's irrelevant what would be true in that sort of world, since the author's conclusion is only about a world in which "there are distinct cultures".

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

    61% picked this

  3. Although specific moral values differ

    Weakens

    This allows us to argue that even though each moral code is different, there are shared moral values. It's saying "the uniqueness of moral codes comes from their specifics, but there are more general principles/values that are common to all cultures".

    11% picked this

  4. The anthropologists who have studied

    Weakens

    Just like (A), this weakens by hurting the credibility of the argument's evidence. This hurts the argument by calling into question how much we should trust anthropologists' studies saying that distinct cultures differ in their moral codes. After all, the anthro's doing these studies have been biased in favor of finding differences.

    6% picked this

  5. What appear to be differences

    Weakens

    This allows us to argue that even though each moral code is different, there are shared moral values. It's saying "the uniqueness of moral codes comes from how people interpret the best way to live in accordance with certain values, but all cultures are still coming from a starting point of shared values."

    13% picked this

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