Logical Reasoning

PT126 · S4 · Q4 In his book, published in

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In his book, published in 1892, Grey used the same metaphor that Jordan used in her book, which was published in 1885.

Conclusion (Therefore)

It's very likely that Grey read Jordan's book.

Evidence

Both books contain the same weirdly specific metaphor, suggesting a connection between them. Jordan's book was published 7 years before Grey's.

Evaluate

The author is identifying a Curious Fact and offering a causal interpretation, so we can use our Explain Curious Fact template.

CURIOUS FACT: how is it that the same weird metaphor shows up in both of these books?

EXPLANATION: Jordan put it in his 1885 book. Grey read the book and "stole" it for his own 1892 book.

We can weaken this style of argument by either suggesting an Alternate Explanation for the curious fact (most common) or by undermining the plausibility of the author's explanation.

Goal

Find an answer that offers a different explanation for how the metaphor shows up in both books, or that debunks the storyline that Grey read the metaphor in Jordan's book and learned of it that way.

4.

Which one of the following, if true, most weakens the argument?

  1. Correct

    A text that was probably

    Why this is right

    This suggests that both authors took the metaphor from a third text, predating both of their books. It provides an alternate explanation for the curious fact, effectively weakening the conclusion that Gray stole it from Jordan.

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

    86% picked this

  2. The passage in Grey’s book

    No Impact

    This points out that Gray uses the metaphor to express a different idea, but metaphors can be used in various contexts without suggesting original authorship, thus not effectively countering the conclusion.

    10% picked this

  3. Both Grey’s book and Jordan’s

    Strengthens (if anything)

    This states that both books targeted the same audience, potentially supporting the idea that Gray could have been influenced by Jordan's prior work, subtly aligning with the conclusion.

    1% picked this

  4. Jordan used the same metaphor

    No Impact

    This indicates Jordan used the metaphor repeatedly in her subsequent writings, which doesn't suggest an alternative source or impact the possibility that Gray copied it from her original use.

    1% picked this

  5. According to most scholars, Grey

    Weaker Impact

    This implies that Gray was more inventive and potentially could have originated the metaphor, suggesting an alternate narrative. However, even if Grey was more likely to develop an original metaphor, the author's point is that it's crazy unlikely that two different people would separately invent this same metaphor, and we know Jordan's use of it was published first.

    2% picked this

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