Logical Reasoning

PT131 · S1 · Q19 Geneticist: Genes, like viruses

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Geneticist: Genes, like viruses, have a strong tendency to self-replicate; this has led some biologists to call genes "selfish."

Evidence

Genes, like viruses, have a strong G → SR tendency to self-replicate.

Creating replicas of oneself is not SR → ~S selfish.

Conclusion

The label "selfish" as applied to G → ~S genes is a misnomer.

Evaluate

This argument is valid. But there is an intermediate argument inside the main argument. The claim that creating replicas of oneself is not selfish is an intermediate conclusion supported by a premise. And it is within this intermediate argument that there is an assumption.

Premise

Selfishness only concerns bringing S → BC about the best conditions for oneself.

Intermediate Conclusion

Creating replicas of oneself is not SR → ~S selfish.

Evaluate

The argument assumes that creating SR → ~BC replicas of oneself does not bring about the best conditions for oneself.

19.

Which one of the following, if assumed, allows the geneticist's conclusion to be properly drawn?

  1. Bringing about the best conditions

    Out of Scope

    The importance of bringing about the best conditions for others is not relevant to the argument.

    1% picked this

  2. Correct

    Creating replicas of oneself does

    Why this is right

    This provides the link between self-replicating and creating the best conditions for oneself.

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

    83% picked this

  3. The behavioral definition of "selfish"

    Out of Scope

    The everyday definition of “selfish” does not play a role in the argument.

    12% picked this

  4. To ignore the fact that

    Out of Scope

    Self-replication outside of genes does not play a role in the argument.

    2% picked this

  5. Biologists have insufficient evidence about

    Too Weak

    The argument goes further than suggesting that labeling genes as selfish is premature. The argument takes it a step further and advocates that genes are in fact not selfish.

    2% picked this

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