Logical Reasoning

PT133 · S2 · Q15 Sociologist: A contention of many

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Sociologist: A contention of many of my colleagues—that the large difference between the wages of the highest-and lowest-paid workers will inevitably become a source of social friction—is unfounded.

Evidence

[The large difference between wages] means that companies will be able to hire freely in response to changing conditions.

Social friction arises not from large wage differences, but from wage levels that are static or slow changing.

Conclusion

A contention of many of my colleagues—that the large difference between the wages of the highest-and lowest-paid workers will inevitably become a source of social friction—is unfounded. Indeed, the high differential should have an opposite effect.

Evaluate

The argument assumes that when companies can hire freely in response to changing conditions, wage levels will not be static or slow changing.

15.

Which one of the following is an assumption required by the sociologist's argument?

  1. Correct

    When companies can hire freely

    Why this is right

    This answer bridges the gap between hiring freely in response to changing conditions and wage levels not being static or slow changing.

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

    86% picked this

  2. People who expect their wages

    Premise Support

    This supports the premise that social friction arises not from large wage differences, but from wage levels that are static or slow changing.

    3% picked this

  3. A lack of financial caution

    Premise Support

    This supports the premise that companies will be able to hire freely in response to changing conditions.

    0% picked this

  4. A company's ability to respond

    Trap

    Out of Scope - Term Shift / Too Strong Hiring freely in response to changing market conditions is not the same as responding swiftly to changing conditions. Furthermore, such changes need not always benefit workers, but must benefit workers at least sometimes.

    2% picked this

  5. Even relatively well-paid workers may

    Premise Support

    This supports the premise that social friction arises not from large wage differences, but from wage levels that are static or slow changing.

    9% picked this

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