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- Posts: 8916
- Joined: Feb 02, 2011
- Wed Jul 03, 2013 11:00 pm
#35325
Complete Question Explanation
Strengthen—PR. The correct answer choice is (D)
Mike believes that his use of Tom’s computer is not wrong, in spite of the fact that Tom did not tell
him that he could use it. In Mike’s opinion, his use without permission is justified by the fact that
Tom had done something similar to Mary, borrowing her bike the previous week without having
been given permission.
The question stem asks for the principle that would “most justify” (in other words, strengthen)
Mike’s argument. The correct answer choice should support Mike’s apparent belief that people
should expect to be treated the way that they themselves treat others.
Answer choice (A): This choice basically provides that in some cases (at least one) borrowing
something without asking is not theft. Since this principle does not define the line between theft
and non-theft, let alone between right and wrong, it does not bolster Mike’s argument, so it should
be ruled out of contention. If the stimulus dealt instead with the issue of whether or not Mike’s act
constituted theft, this principle might help in Mike’s defense, but it does not help to justify Mike’s
borrowing without permission.
Answer choice (B): This answer provides that in some cases, it is permissible not to tell the
truth. This is a pretty weak claim to begin with (...that there is at least one case in which lying is
permissible), and beyond that, this principle is not applicable to Mike’s discussion; the stimulus does
not deal with the issue of lying, so a principle dictating that sometimes lies are permissible would not
have any effect on the strength of Mike’s argument.
Answer choice (C): If you were among the test takers who picked this answer choice, you are in
good company—as with many incorrect answer choices, this one is just a little bit off. This choice
provides that if someone has borrowed from you without asking, it is alright for you to treat them
in the same way. The problem with this answer choice is that Mike isn’t treating Tom the way Tom
treated Mike—Mike is treating Tom the way that Tom treated Mary.
Answer choice (D): This is the correct answer choice, which basically says that it is acceptable
to treat someone the same way they treat others. As discussed above, the basis of Mike’s argument
is that his own behavior is justified by Tom’s behavior; since Tom treated Mary in the same manner,
borrowing something without permission, Mike believes that it is permissible to treat Tom the same
way.
Answer choice (E): This answer choice defines some actions as wrong based on the harm they cause.
The stimulus does not delve into the issue of harm, and a principle saying that it’s wrong to harm
someone by taking their property would not help to justify Mike’s use of Tom’s computer without
his permission. There is no way to determine whether anyone mentioned has been harmed, so this
principle plays no role in Tom’s reasoning.
As with answer choice (C), this choice is appealing in part because of the topic discussed—
borrowing the property of others. The correct answer choice does not explicitly mention borrowing.
Strengthen—PR. The correct answer choice is (D)
Mike believes that his use of Tom’s computer is not wrong, in spite of the fact that Tom did not tell
him that he could use it. In Mike’s opinion, his use without permission is justified by the fact that
Tom had done something similar to Mary, borrowing her bike the previous week without having
been given permission.
The question stem asks for the principle that would “most justify” (in other words, strengthen)
Mike’s argument. The correct answer choice should support Mike’s apparent belief that people
should expect to be treated the way that they themselves treat others.
Answer choice (A): This choice basically provides that in some cases (at least one) borrowing
something without asking is not theft. Since this principle does not define the line between theft
and non-theft, let alone between right and wrong, it does not bolster Mike’s argument, so it should
be ruled out of contention. If the stimulus dealt instead with the issue of whether or not Mike’s act
constituted theft, this principle might help in Mike’s defense, but it does not help to justify Mike’s
borrowing without permission.
Answer choice (B): This answer provides that in some cases, it is permissible not to tell the
truth. This is a pretty weak claim to begin with (...that there is at least one case in which lying is
permissible), and beyond that, this principle is not applicable to Mike’s discussion; the stimulus does
not deal with the issue of lying, so a principle dictating that sometimes lies are permissible would not
have any effect on the strength of Mike’s argument.
Answer choice (C): If you were among the test takers who picked this answer choice, you are in
good company—as with many incorrect answer choices, this one is just a little bit off. This choice
provides that if someone has borrowed from you without asking, it is alright for you to treat them
in the same way. The problem with this answer choice is that Mike isn’t treating Tom the way Tom
treated Mike—Mike is treating Tom the way that Tom treated Mary.
Answer choice (D): This is the correct answer choice, which basically says that it is acceptable
to treat someone the same way they treat others. As discussed above, the basis of Mike’s argument
is that his own behavior is justified by Tom’s behavior; since Tom treated Mary in the same manner,
borrowing something without permission, Mike believes that it is permissible to treat Tom the same
way.
Answer choice (E): This answer choice defines some actions as wrong based on the harm they cause.
The stimulus does not delve into the issue of harm, and a principle saying that it’s wrong to harm
someone by taking their property would not help to justify Mike’s use of Tom’s computer without
his permission. There is no way to determine whether anyone mentioned has been harmed, so this
principle plays no role in Tom’s reasoning.
As with answer choice (C), this choice is appealing in part because of the topic discussed—
borrowing the property of others. The correct answer choice does not explicitly mention borrowing.