Necessary Assumption Flashcards
This question asks you to identify the claim that
Must be true or is required in order for the argument to work.
A good way to think of necessary assumptions is:
If that statement were to be false, the argument’s reasoning would be undermined.
Common wrong choice types
Too strong, irrelevant, and detrimental.
Find an
Overlooked possibility, if there is one.
If negating the truth of a choice causes the argument to be undermined, then
That’s the answer.
If negating the truth of a choice causes the argument to be strengthened or be unaffected,
Then that choice is incorrect.
If a necessary assumption were discovered to be false, the argument would
Fall apart.
A necessary assumption must be true in order for the argument to work, whereas a sufficient assumption
Guarantees that the argument works.
Example Stem (One): The argument relies on assuming
Which one of the following?
Example Stem (Two): The argument depends
On the assumption that ___
Example Stem (Three): Which one of the following is an assumption
Required by the argument?
Prefer
Weak choices.
