Logical Reasoning

PT131 · S2 · Q6 Although Jaaks is a respected historian

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Although Jaaks is a respected historian, her negative review of Yancey's new book on the history of coastal fisheries in the region rests on a mistake.

Conclusion

Yancey's new book accurately portrays the lives of fishery workers

Evidence

Yancey used the same research methods in this book as in her other history books, which have all been very popular. This new book is also popular locally.

Evaluation

I'm not convinced that Yancey's book is accurate. I know her research methods are consistent, but that doesn't mean they're accurate. I might consistently call the security guard Arthur, even though his name is really Albert. Furthermore, the fact that these books are popular doesn't speak to their accuracy. It's certainly possible for an inaccurate book to still be popular.

Goal

Look for an answer that calls out one or both of our objections: "just because it's popular doesn't mean it's accurate" or .

6.

The reasoning above is flawed in that it

  1. relies on the word of

    Bad Evidence Match

    The author isn't relying on the word of any scholar. The author is attacking the evaluation of a qualified scholar, Jaaks. The author is defending the accuracy of Yancey's book (Yancey is a scholar), but the author relies on premises about research methods and popularity, not on any premise that offers a scholar's testimony.

    0% picked this

  2. attacks the person making the

    Bad Premise Match

    The author actually compliments Jaaks as being a respected historian. Furthermore, the author's premises are about Yancey's methods and the popularity of Yancey's books. No premise takes a shot at Jaaks. This answer describes the Famous Flaw of Ad Hominem.

    4% picked this

  3. Correct

    takes for granted that the

    Why this is right

    Yes, the author assumed that the popularity of Yancey's book was somehow relevant to an assessment of the book's accuracy. If we negated this assumption and said, "Popularity is no evidence of accuracy", that would definitely weaken the author's argument.

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

    90% picked this

  4. bases a general conclusion on

    Bad Conclusion / Premise Match

    Is the conclusion a general claim? No, it's a specific claim about Yancey's book. That's enough to eliminate, but there also isn't any sample in the evidence. There's a comparison to Yancey's other books (so the author is assuming some similarities) but no sample. This answer choice describes the Famous Flaw of Sampling.

    1% picked this

  5. presumes, without providing justification, that

    Too Strong; "the only methods"

    The author assumes that Yancey's methods are accurate, but she doesn't need to assume that Yancey's methods are the the only accurate methods.

    5% picked this

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