Assumption vs. Strengthen Forum

[borntokill]

Can the correct answer choice of strenghten question be an assumption?

or

Can an assumption strengthen the argument?

I feel that even if you know the assumption, it does not necessarily make the conclusion more likely to be true.

e.g.

Conclusion: Tiger is the best golfer.
Assumption: Tiger is not paralyzed.

The fact that tiger is able to move does not make him more likely to be a good golfer, let along the best.

[tomwatts]

Eliminating an obstacle to the conclusion does strengthen the argument, so yes, pointing out that Tiger isn't paralyzed weakly strengthens the argument that he's the best golfer (at least he could be the best golfer if he's not paralyzed, whereas if we don't know that, it could be the case that it would be impossible for him to be the best golfer). Now, obviously, it depends a little on the rest of your answer choices.

And yes, broadly speaking, the normal way to strengthen an argument is to say that its assumptions are true. Generally Strengthen right answers are phrased with stronger language (always, never, etc.) than run-of-the-mill Assumption right answers (could, might, sometimes), but they don't have to be.

[Shrimps]

If the conclusion is PROVEN, it does not require any additional assumptions. If the author's conclusion that Tiger is the best golf player follows logically from his premises, then "Tiger is not paralyzed" is going to be entirely superfluous. The only things that could strengthen this conclusions is additional evidence that Tiger is the best golf player.

That's my gut feeling, at least.

[borntokill]

Eliminating an obstacle to the conclusion does strengthen the argument, so yes, pointing out that Tiger isn't paralyzed weakly strengthens the argument that he's the best golfer (at least he could be the best golfer if he's not paralyzed, whereas if we don't know that, it could be the case that it would be impossible for him to be the best golfer). Now, obviously, it depends a little on the rest of your answer choices.

And yes, broadly speaking, the normal way to strengthen an argument is to say that its assumptions are true. Generally Strengthen right answers are phrased with stronger language (always, never, etc.) than run-of-the-mill Assumption right answers (could, might, sometimes), but they don't have to be.

Thank you! You make it very clear!