Logical Reasoning

PT17 · S3 · Q20 Morton: In order to succeed in

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Morton: In order to succeed in today’s society, one must have a college degree.

Conclusion

To succeed in today's society, one must have a college degree.

Opposing Point

Skeptics object that many people without college degrees are quite successful.

Evidence

Morton dismisses the counterexamples by saying their success is "only apparent" — because without a college degree, a person does not have enough education to be truly successful.

Evaluate

Watch what Morton just did. The thing Morton needs to prove is that a college degree is required for success. The thing Morton offers as proof is that anyone without a college degree is not "truly" successful — which is the same claim restated. The reason Morton gives for the conclusion is the conclusion itself.

Goal

The correct answer should describe circular reasoning — assuming what one is trying to prove.

20.

Morton’s argument is flawed because it

  1. Correct

    assumes what it sets out

    Why this is right

    "Assumes what it sets out to conclude" is the textbook description of circular reasoning. Morton needs to prove that a college degree is required for success. When confronted with counterexamples, Morton says they are "only apparent" because true success requires a college degree — which is the conclusion itself, used as the reason for dismissing the evidence against it.

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

    75% picked this

  2. mistakes a correlation for a

    Causal Flaw

    Morton does not mistake correlation for causation. There is no causal claim being established from a statistical pattern. Morton's argument is definitional and circular, not causal.

    7% picked this

  3. draws a highly general conclusion

    Sampling

    This describes an over-generalization from a small sample, but Morton does not generalize from individual cases at all. Morton starts with a universal claim ("one must have a college degree") and dismisses individual counterexamples to it. The structure runs the opposite direction from what this answer describes.

    2% picked this

  4. fails to consider the status

    Bad Description

    Morton does not fail to consider the alleged counterexamples — Morton explicitly addresses them, calling their success "only apparent." The problem is not that Morton ignored the counterexamples but that the reason Morton gives for dismissing them is circular. This answer mischaracterizes what Morton actually did.

    12% picked this

  5. bases its conclusion on the

    Inappropriate Appeals

    This describes an appeal to popular belief — concluding something is true because most people believe it. Morton makes no reference to popular opinion or belief. The argument relies entirely on Morton's own restated definition of true success, not on what most people think.

    4% picked this

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