Logical Reasoning

PT159 · S3 · Q16 Some have argued that once it becomes necessary for us to think

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Some have argued that once it becomes necessary for us to think about computers in terms of beliefs and desires in order to understand how they function, we can rightly say that computers have beliefs and desires.

Opposing Point (some have argued)

Once it becomes necessary for us to think about computers in terms of beliefs and desires in order to understand how they function, we can rightly say that computers have beliefs and desires.

Evidence (however)

We already need to think about what computers believe and desire in order to understand how they function.

Intermediate Conclusion (thus)

The suggested criterion for ascribing beliefs and desires to computers implies that the computers that exist now have beliefs and desires.

Main Conclusion (so)

The suggested criterion is obviously flawed.

Evaluate

The claim in question is part of the Intermediate Conclusion. We know this claim to be a conclusion because of the word thus, and we know it's intermediate because the next sentence begins with the conclusion indicator word so. Since the claim in question is just one part of the intermediate conclusion, we should expect the correct answer to get more granular and describe how that claim works. That's unfortunate in a Role question, but it's to be expected in the Gauntlet where the hardest questions lie!

The opposing point is establishes a criterion that, once met, means we can say that computers have beliefs and desires. The evidence is that we've already met that criterion. The intermediate conclusion is that, taken together, the opposing point and the evidence would mean that computers today have beliefs and desires. From this, the author derives their main conclusion: that criterion is obviously bogus. Thus, this argument has classic Rebuttal archetype known as the Reduction to the Absurd: If X was true, it would imply Y. But Y isn't true. So X isn't true either.

Goal

Look for an answer that acknowledges the Rebuttal and the author's assumption that computers today do not have beliefs and desires.

16.

The claim that the computers that exist now have beliefs and desires plays which one of the following roles in the argument above?

  1. Correct

    It is held to be

    Why this is right

    This perfectly reflects the Reduction to the Absurd archetype in which a claim is said to be false because it would lead to clearly false conclusions.

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

    68% picked this

  2. It is a view the

    Bad Description / Opposite

    The author assumes this view is unacceptable, not uncontroversial.

    2% picked this

  3. It is an example given

    Bad Description: not a clarifying example

    It is a consequence of the criterion, not an example of it.

    4% picked this

  4. It is the conclusion of

    Bad Description: not the conclusion

    The conclusion is the rebuttal of the opposing point.

    2% picked this

  5. It is a premise whose

    Bad Description / Opposite

    It is something that must NOT be true if the argument is going to be successful.

    23% picked this

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