Ethicist: It would be a mistake

Answer choices

1. A

   Not Conclusion3% picked this

   It is a claim for which the argument attempts to

   A claim for which the argument provides justification is a conclusion, but the conclusion is the very first claim.

   3%
2. B

   Correct55% picked this

   It makes an observation that, according to the argument, is insufficient to justify the claim that the

   Why this is right

   Brutal to untangle this, so getting it through elimination might be most realistic. I usually read these backwards: is there a claim that the argument concludes is false? Sure. The author thinks it’s false to say “only people who’ve overcome temptation to do bad deserve praise for doing right”. Is the claim we’re asked about making an observation? Sure. Saying “we do consider people especially praiseworthy if they’ve overcome bad temptations” is an observation. The author concedes this point but doesn’t think it justifies her opponent’s position, since people who have gotten rid of bad temptations also deserve praise.

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

   55%
3. C

   Too Strong16% picked this

   It is a claim, acceptance of which, the argument contends, is a primary obstacle to some people's having

   Too Strong: “primary” / Out of Scope: “adequate conception of virtue” The argument is about whether or not certain people deserve praise. Although that’s related to virtue, it’s not the same as debating whether people have an adequate conception of virtue. The author never uses language that would indicate that one thing is the primary obstacle to achieving. Also, the author accepts this claim and yet presumably thinks she has an adequate conception of virtue, so it wouldn’t make sense to say that accepting this claim prevents you from correctly understanding virtue.

   16%
4. D

   Opposite7% picked this

   It is, according to the argument, a commonly held opinion that

   The author accepts this claim. She isn’t arguing that it’s false.

   7%
5. E

   Not Premise19% picked this

   It reports an observation that, according to the argument, serves as evidence for the truth

   This is not support for the conclusion. The word “although” telegraphs that this is a counterpoint/disclaimer/concession, not the direct support.

   19%