Logical Reasoning

PT108 · S3 · Q7 The existing works of ancient

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The existing works of ancient literature, science, and philosophy do not represent the most original work produced in ancient times.

Conclusion

The existing works of ancient literature, science, and philosophy don't represent the most original work produced in ancient times.

Evidence

The existing works frequently refer to other works that we no longer have.

Evaluate

On most Principle-Strengthen questions, we're just looking to build a linking idea from Evidence to Conclusion.

The Evidence here is that , and the Conclusion is . The author must be assuming that these other works, the ones cited, the ones we don't have, are actually the more original works.

Goal

Look for an answer saying something like, . We need to connect the ideas of with .

Something like would also work.

7.

Which one of the following statements, if added to the argument, most helps to justify its conclusion?

  1. Correct

    Works that contain frequent references

    Why this is right

    The existing works we have contain frequent references to other works. According to this answer choice, that means that the existing works we have are probably derivative. Being derivative means that you're using / ripping off someone else's idea, not originating your own. So saying that these works are probably derivative is strong support for the idea that these works are "not the most original works".

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

    72% picked this

  2. Many extant works have laudable

    Too Weak

    It does help the argument a bit to learn that the works being cited are being praised (i.e. lauded) rather than mocked. The author is definitely acting like these missing works are being cited in some reverential way, like, "As we know from authoritative text X .... ". But "many" is a weak quantity, and saying that many of the existing works say nice things about the missing works is definitely not as strong support as the correct answer.

    5% picked this

  3. A surprisingly large number of

    Too Weak

    This mildly strengthens the author's case just through sheer numbers. If a surprisingly large number of ancient texts have been lost, that probabilistically increases the odds that the most original works could have been among those works lost. But this answer has nothing to do with the Evidence (frequent citations) and only adds a weak uptick in mathematical plausibility for the potential truth of the conclusion.

    15% picked this

  4. Subversive ideas tend to be

    Out of Scope: subversive

    This answer is trying to make "subversive" and "original" synonyms, which is not gonna work. They can certainly overlap, but subversive means to go against the mainstream, to try to upend the status quo. We could say that the current fad for socialism within far-left political circles is subversive to mainstream democratic principles, but that doesn't mean that this socialism is an original idea. Conversely, something could be original (the first solar panels, for example) without being subversive. We also shouldn't be attracted to this answer choice if we know that correct answers on Principle are all about that 1/2 Premise, 1/2 Conclusion feel. There's nothing in this answer touching on the Evidence, which was 'frequent citations'.

    2% picked this

  5. Most current ideas regarded as

    Out of Scope: current original ideas

    This argument is only about whether the surviving ancient texts we have are the most original of the ancient texts. Talking about current works is totally out of scope.

    7% picked this

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