Logical Reasoning

PT129 · S2 · Q1 Many doctors cater to patients'

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Many doctors cater to patients' demands that they be prescribed antibiotics for their colds.

Conclusion (so / should)

Doctors should never prescribe antibiotics to treat colds.

Intermediate Conclusion (so)

Antibiotics have no effect on colds.

Premise

Colds are caused by viruses. Antibiotics have no effect on viruses.

Premise

Prescribing antibiotics for a cold can have dangerous side effects.

Evaluate

The argument offers two reasons why doctors should not prescribe antibiotics to treat colds. The first points out that antibiotics are ineffective against colds. And second, antibiotics can have dangerous side effects. So the operative principles seems like, .

1.

The reasoning above most closely conforms to which one of the following principles?

  1. Correct

    A doctor should not prescribe

    Why this is right

    This builds a bridge from being ~E + D → ~P ineffective and possibly having dangerous side effects to the recommendation that doctors not prescribe antibiotics to treat colds.

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

    93% picked this

  2. A doctor should not prescribe

    Wrong Trigger

    The reasoning does not include the possibility that antibiotics could have a positive effect on someone with a cold.

    2% picked this

  3. A doctor should attempt to

    Negation

    This connects affecting health ~D → P positively with prescribing antibiotics. This negates the logic of the underlying principle in the reasoning.

    1% picked this

  4. A doctor should withhold treatment

    Wrong Trigger

    The trigger in this relationship is the doctor being uncertain whether the treatment will benefit the patient, which is not included in the reasoning.

    2% picked this

  5. A doctor should never base

    Wrong Trigger

    The patient’s claims about the effectiveness of antibiotics are not discussed in the reasoning.

    3% picked this

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