Argument's flaws

Question 1

Confusing cause-effect relationship with correlation

Answer 1

1. Confusing cause-effect relationship with correlation
   a. Significant correlation between two events (generally occurring together)
   b. Temporal relationship (one occurs after the other)
   c. Answer:
   i. Identify the false cause-and effect.
   ii. Elucidate offering one or two examples of other possible causes.
   iii. Explain how the false-cause undermine the argument.
   iv. Optional if there is time.
   1) Indicate what type of additional information e.g., statistical data) would help prove a cause and effect relationship) or,
   2) List additional types of information (e.g. statistical data, cost-benefits analyses, projections for the future) needed to determine whether the assumed cause and effect relationship actually exist.

Question 2

Drawing a weak Analogy Between Two things

Answer 2

2. Drawing a weak Analogy Between Two things
   Assumption that because things that are similar in some respects, they are similar in all respects
   i. Answers:
   1) Identify The false analogy
   2) Elucidate by providing two o more ways in which the two things differ significantly.
   3) Explain how the differences undermines the argument’s conclusion
   4) Optional if there is time
   1) Indicate what sort of additional evidence the argument’s author could supply to either strengthen the analogy or, if the analyses is specially poor, to make a convincing argument without the analogy.
   2) Indicate what else you would need to know to determine whether the analogy is a fair one - that warrants the arguments’ conclusion.

Question 3

Relying on a potentially unrepresentative statistical sample.

Answer 3

3. Relying on a potentially unrepresentative statistical sample.
   Citing statistical evidence from a study, survey, or poll involving a “sample” group, then drawing a conclusion about a larger group or population that the sample supposedly represent. But in order to the sample accurately reflect a larger population, the sample must meet two requirements:`
4. The sample must be significant in size as a portion of the overall population.
5. The sample must be representative of the population in terms of relevant characteristics.
   GRE samples intentionally fail to meet these requirements

Your should:

3. Identify the problem
4. Elucidate by providing at least one or two aspects in which key characteristics of the sample group might differ from those of the larger population.
5. Explain how those differences would undermine the argument’s conclusion
6. Optional if there is time
   1) Indicate how the arguments’ author can prove that the sample group is representative, or in the alternative, make a convincing argument without the statistic.
   2) Indicate what else you would need to know to determine whether the sample group is representative of the larger population.

Question 4

Relying on tainted results from a survey or poll

Answer 4

4. Relying on tainted results from a survey or poll
   The process of collecting data might be flowed in a way that calls into question the quality of the data, rendering the data “tainted.” For the survey or poll results to be reliable in quality:
5. It must be credible and accurate. If respondents have reason to provide incomplete or false responses, the results are tainted and unreliable.
6. The method of collecting the data must be unbiased. If responses are not mandatory or if the survey’s form predisposes subjects, then the results are unreliable.

Answer:

3. Identify the problem
4. Elucidate by providing at least one or two reasons, based on the argument’s information, why the statistical data might be tainted and unreliable
5. Explain how the potentially tainted data might undermine the argument’s conclusion
6. Optional if there is time:
   1) Indicate how the argument’s proponent can establish that the statistical evidence is reliable (not tainted).
   2) Indicate what else you would need to know to determine whether the statistical evidence is reliable (not tainted).

Question 5

Assuming that a certain condition is necessary and sufficient for a certain outcome

Answer 5

5. Assuming that a certain condition is necessary and sufficient for a certain outcome
   Arguments recommend a certain course of action, based on the following claims:
6. The course of action is necessary to achieve the results. The argument must provide evidence that no other means of achieving the result are available.
7. or it is sufficient to achieve the results. The argument must provide strong evidence that the proposed course of action is sufficient for obtaining the results.

Both claim can appear in a argument. If both, the argument may not rely in more assumptions.
Answer:
3. Identify the problem
4. Elucidate by providing at least one or two examples:
1) For a necessary-condition, suggest other possible means for achieving the stated objective.
2) For a sufficient-condition, suggest other conditions that might also be necessary for the outcome.
5. Explain how the problem undermines the argument’s conclusion
6. Optional if there is time:
1) Indicate what sort of additional information the argument’s author could provide to strengthen the inference that the condition is necessary and/or sufficient for the outcome.
2) Indicate what else you would need to know to determine whether the condition is necessary/sufficient for the outcome.

Question 6

Assuming that characteristics of a group apply to each group member (or vice versa)

Answer 6

6. Assuming that characteristics of a group apply to each group member (or vice versa)
   The argument points out to a fact about a general group to support a claim about one particular member of that group or Vice versa.
   Answer:
7. Identify the problem
8. Elucidate by providing at least one or two significant ways in which the member might differ the general group.
9. Explain how those differences would undermine the argument’s conclusion
10. Optional if there is time:
    1) Indicate what sort of additional evidence the argument’s author could supply to show that the member’s relevant characteristics are similar to those of the group as a whole.
    2) Indicate what additional information would help you determine the extent to which the member is representative of the group.

Question 7

Assuming that things remain unchanged over time

Answer 7

7. Assuming that things remain unchanged over time
   The argument rely on evidence collected in the pass to formulate concussions or recommendations in the present or future. Similarly, It rely in evidence in the present to assert predictions and recommendations in the future.
   Answer:
8. Identify the problem
9. Elucidate by providing examples of conditions that might change from one time to the other
10. Evaluate the argument in light to the problem
11. Optional:
    1) Indicate that to strengthen the argument, the author must convince that other relevant conditions remain unchanged from one time frame to the next.
    2) List additional information about past and present (or present and future) circumstances that you need in order to evaluate the recommendations, predictions, or other conclusions.

Question 8

Failing to define important terms

Answer 8

8. Failing to define important terms

The argument rely on terms with out an adequate definition.

Question 9

Relying on vague or ambiguous evidence

Answer 9

9. Relying on vague or ambiguous evidence
   The argument contain a statement, word, or phrase that carries more than one possible meaning or is too vague to rely upon when drawing conclusions. Look for references to some, many, several in lieu of precise data.

Question 10

Drawing conclusions that is too broad in degree or scope

Answer 10

10. Drawing conclusions that is too broad in degree or scope
    An argument’s conclusion might be well supported but to an extent or only to respect to a certain subclass. It fails to limit the degree or scope according to its evidence.

Question 11

Assuming that two courses of action are mutually exclusive

Answer 11

11. Assuming that two courses of action are mutually exclusive
    An argument recommend one course of action over another in order to achieve an objective, without considering to pursue both (that is that they are mutually exclusive) thereby increasing the likelihood of achieving the objective stated.

Question 12

Arguing simultaneously for two competing objectives

Answer 12

12. Arguing simultaneously for two competing objectives
    The argument seek to achieve two distinct objectives, which appear to compete; accomplishing one decreases the likelihood of the other.

Question 13

Engaging in circular reasoning

Answer 13

13. Engaging in circular reasoning

An argument might rely, at least partly, on its own line of reasoning to support that very reasoning