PT14 S4 Q9 (LR with conditional logic)
Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2011 11:26 pm
I feel like I have a pretty strong grasp of conditional logic but I am really frustrated with this question. I came across it in the Manhattan guide and their explanations left a little to be desired. (The Manhattan board also did not help.)
I get the setup and everything:
P1: support tax plan --> ~chance (STP --> ~C)
P2: understand econ. --> ~support tax plan (UE --> ~STP)
Conclusion: chance --> understand econ. (C --> UE)
The logic error is reversing that second premise to form the chain: C --> ~STP --> UE. For some reason I can't wrap my brain around what the answer choices mean. The question states the argument is flawed because it "ignores the possibility that some people who..." Each answer choice is some combo of 2 of the 3 elements. A is the only one I am able to rule out because "UE --> ~STP" is the second premise. It seems that B-E are all ignored possibilities.
I get the setup and everything:
P1: support tax plan --> ~chance (STP --> ~C)
P2: understand econ. --> ~support tax plan (UE --> ~STP)
Conclusion: chance --> understand econ. (C --> UE)
The logic error is reversing that second premise to form the chain: C --> ~STP --> UE. For some reason I can't wrap my brain around what the answer choices mean. The question states the argument is flawed because it "ignores the possibility that some people who..." Each answer choice is some combo of 2 of the 3 elements. A is the only one I am able to rule out because "UE --> ~STP" is the second premise. It seems that B-E are all ignored possibilities.