Logical Reasoning

PT138 · S4 · Q22 One of the most useful social conventions

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One of the most useful social conventions is money, whose universality across societies is matched only by language.

Evidence

One of the most useful social conventions is money, whose universality across societies is matched only by language.

Unlike language, which is rooted in an innate ability, money is an artificial, human invention.

Conclusion

Hence, it seems probable that the invention of money occurred independently in more than one society.

Evaluate

This argument overlooks the possibility that money was invented in one society and then shared from one society to the next until every society adopted its use. To ensure that money was invented independently in more than one society, the right answer should rule out the possibility that some societies adopted the use of money after observing its use in another society.

22.

The argument's conclusion is properly drawn if which one of the following is assumed?

  1. Correct

    Some societies have been geographically

    Why this is right

    This rules out the alternative explanation and ensures that the invention of money occurred independently in more than one society.

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

    59% picked this

  2. Language emerged independently in different

    Too Weak

    The argument draws a distinction between language and money in that language is rooted in innate ability, while money is a human invention.

    11% picked this

  3. Universal features of human society

    Supports a Premise

    This supports the premise that money is a human invention, but stops short of establishing that the invention of money occurred independently in more than one society.

    21% picked this

  4. If money were not useful,

    Supports a Premise

    This supports the premise that money is useful, since the argument establishes that the use of money is widespread.

    5% picked this

  5. No human society that adopted

    Out of Scope

    Whether money, once adopted, has been abandoned says nothing about the circumstances under which the adoption of money occurred.

    3% picked this

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