Logical Reasoning

PT14 · S2 · Q14 Zachary: One would have to be blind

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Zachary: One would have to be blind to the reality of moral obligation to deny that people who believe a course of action to be morally obligatory for them have both the right and the duty to pursue that action, and that no one else has any right to stop them from doing so.

Conclusion

Cynthia argues that Zachary's principle on moral obligation is untenable because it can lead to contradictory obligations. Zachary’s principle suggests that both an artist who feels morally obligated to protect art and a person who feels morally obligated to destroy certain art could both be justified in their opposing actions.

Evidence

Cynthia presents a scenario with an artist feeling obligated to protect art and another individual feeling obligated to destroy so-called pornographic art.

She highlights that Zachary's principle would allow both parties the right and duty to pursue conflicting obligations, leading to a moral contradiction.

Evaluate

This argument follows a common pattern in reasoning questions involving a rebuttal. Cynthia uses an analogy involving an artist to illustrate the faulty implications of Zachary's logic. She pivots her argument away from Zachary’s by pointing out a practical contradiction within his view on moral obligations. The conclusion is embedded within her critical analysis of Zachary's principle.

Goal

Find the best available meaning match for

14.

Cynthia’s response to Zachary’s claim is structured to demonstrate that

  1. the concept of moral obligation

    Too Strong

    This choice suggests that the entire concept of moral obligation is inherently flawed, which is not Cynthia's argument. She's critiquing Zachary's specific application of the concept, not the concept itself.

    7% picked this

  2. the ideas of right and

    Out of Scope

    Suggesting a comparison or value judgment not present in the argument, this choice misrepresents Cynthia’s discussion, which is not about weighing different interpretations of moral obligation but about the practical contradictions in Zachary’s principle.

    1% picked this

  3. Correct

    Zachary’s principle is untenable on

    Why this is right

    This captures Cynthia's main point that Zachary's principle is untenable because it leads to logical contradictions, undermining its viability as a moral guideline.

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

    70% picked this

  4. because the term “moral obligation”

    Assumption-Bait

    The choice speculates on differing understandings of "moral obligation," which Cynthia does not address. Her point is about the outcomes of Zachary's principle, not how people interpret the term.

    15% picked this

  5. Zachary’s principle is based on

    Inference-Bait

    This choice suggests a potential limitation or narrowness in understanding, distracting from Cynthia's central argument about contradictory obligations. Her focus is on practical conflicts, not theoretical inclusivity.

    6% picked this

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