Logical Reasoning

PT124 · S3 · Q6 Ornithologist: This bird species

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Ornithologist: This bird species is widely thought to subsist primarily on vegetation, but my research shows that this belief is erroneous.

Evidence

While concealed in a well-camouflaged blind, I have observed hundreds of these birds every morning over a period of months.

I estimate that over half of what they ate consisted of insects and other animal food sources.

Conclusion

The belief that this bird species subsists primarily on vegetation is erroneous.

Evaluate

The ornithologist observed this bird species every morning, but theoretically these birds at other times of the day as well. If what they eat at other times of the day does not match what they eat during the morning, then the ornithologist’s argument would be undermined.

6.

The reasoning in the ornithologist's argument is most vulnerable to criticism on the grounds that the argument

  1. assumes, without providing justification, that

    Contradiction

    The ornithologist does provide justification that the bird’s feeding behavior was not affected by the act of observation. The blind was well-camouflaged.

    7% picked this

  2. fails to specify the nature

    Out of Scope

    The nature of animal food sources, other than insects, is not relevant to the argument. So long as they are animal food sources, they are not vegetation.

    3% picked this

  3. adopts a widespread belief about

    Contradiction

    The argument attacks a widespread belief about the birds’ feeding habits without considering the evidence that led to the belief.

    5% picked this

  4. Correct

    neglects the possibility that the

    Why this is right

    This points out the issue that this species of bird may not eat the same thing throughout the day.

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

    80% picked this

  5. fails to consider the possibility

    Strengthen

    If the diet has changed since the earlier belief about their diet was formed, this might support the argument’s conclusion.

    5% picked this

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