Logical Reasoning

PT153 · S2 · Q20 Some literary theorists argue that

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Some literary theorists argue that since literary works are expressions of ideology, it is naive to view them as embodying a distinct aesthetic value to a greater or lesser degree.

Conclusion

These theorists succumb to the view they wish to undermine. (they are viewing literary works as embodying a distinct aesthetic value to a greater/lesser degree)

Evidence

They're evaluating particular literary works as being ideological expressions that interesting and successful to a greater/lesser degree)

Evaluate

The "but" shows the pivot from Background/Counterpoint into the Author's argument. The "therefore" shows us that the final sentence is the conclusion, so the second to last sentence was the evidence.

The question stem is asking us about that second to last sentence.

Goal

We're just choosing between Main Conclusion, Supporting, Opposing, Neutral.

Since this 2nd to last sentence was the Premise, we'll look for some answer that sounds like "Supports the Conclusion". However, since this argument is a rebuttal style argument, we could also hear an answer like "evidence that the theorists are dumb-dumbs".

20.

The claim that the literary theorists evaluate particular literary works as being ideological expressions that are more or less interesting and successful plays which one of the following roles in the argument?

  1. It is presented as evidence

    Wrong Conclusion

    It is evidence, but the conclusion is the final sentence, prefaced by "Therefore". The conclusion isn't "it is naïve to view literary works in way X", it's "the theorists are guilty of viewing literary works in way X".

    1% picked this

  2. It is presented as evidence

    Wrong Role

    This feels close to the "evidence that the theorists are not smart" prephrase we had. But the author isn't actually rejecting the literary theorists' idea; she's just kind of teasing them that they're doing the thing they supposedly hate. You can call someone a hypocrite about doing X; that doesn't actually indicate you think that X is wrong. Someone might say, "You say that we should always believe the accuser. But you're not believing the accuser that came forward with allegations against your preferred candidate." Pointing out that hypocrisy doesn't mean that I think "it's wrong to believe the accuser".

    10% picked this

  3. It is a conclusion for

    Not a Conclusion

    Four words in, we're done with this one. This is our Premise. The Conclusion is the last claim, prefaced by "Therefore".

    2% picked this

  4. Correct

    It is presented as evidence

    Why this is right

    This is surprisingly straightforward. This was our Premise, and they're correctly capturing the conclusion in the last sentence, almost verbatim. Given that what came before the "But" are claims that belong to the literary theorists, and that the last sentence is prefaced by "Therefore" (so the conclusion), by process of elimination we can tell that the second to last sentence is the premise.

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

    85% picked this

  5. It is presented as evidence

    Wrong Role

    Just like (B), this goes too far in thinking that our author actually disagreed with either of the two literary theorists' claims. Our author is just observing with a wry smirk that the theorists are doing the thing they warn against. She doesn't comment on whether or not their views are right or wrong.

    1% picked this

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