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- Sat Jan 21, 2012 12:00 am
#24984
Complete Question Explanation
Flaw in the Reasoning—PR, SN. The correct answer choice is (E)
The principle in the above stimulus contains conditional reasoning. The principle states that if a food contains a certain product that consumers would be concerned if they knew it contained, then the product should be labeled accordingly. We can diagram this relationship as follows:
It is very important to understand and identify the correct flaw in the stimulus before going on to the answer choices. This is because the wording of the answer choices for Flaw in the Reasoning questions is often particularly difficult, and without a strong understanding of the flaw prior to reading the answer choices, the question becomes significantly more time consuming, The flaw occurs in the application of the rule. The application states that since most consumers would not care if Crackly Chips contained genetically engineered ingredients, they do not need to be labeled as containing genetically engineered ingredients. As a conditional relationship, this would be diagramed as follows:
Visually, we can see that this is a Mistaken Negation—we have negated both halves of the conditional statement without also reversing them. We are looking for an answer choice that describes that error.
Answer choice (A): The principle in the stimulus specifies that the conditional relationship applies to the opinions of the consumers of the specific product in question, and not consumers in general. The application is not flawed by only considering consumers of the Crackly Chips, because the principle was equally limited.
Answer choice (B): The principle does not limit itself to situations where the product is actually dangerous; the perception of danger on the part of the consumer is sufficient to require labeling. It does not matter whether or not the product is actually safe. Therefore, proof of safety is irrelevant to the principle and application, and cannot be the correct flaw.
Answer choice (C): The application does not add a value judgment either to the use of labels, nor does it imply a value judgment to the use of certain ingredients. As part of the Prove family of questions, the correct answer choice for Flaw in the Reasoning must be completely supported by facts from the stimulus. If any portion of an answer choice is not fully supported by information from the stimulus, it has to be incorrect.
Answer choice (D): The phrase “takes for granted” indicates that the flaw is an assumption. The application of the principle did not contain any assumptions, so this answer choice cannot be correct.
Answer choice (E): This is the correct answer choice. The application confuses conditional reasoning. The principle states that under a certain condition (when most consumers of a product would be upset to discover a certain ingredient) an action must be taken (labels need to advise of the presence of the ingredient). The application of the principle is flawed because it says in the absence of a certain condition (if there is not a controversy about the ingredient) there is no need to take the above action (indicating the presence of the ingredient on the label). This is the description of a Mistaken Negation, and thus is the correct answer choice.
Flaw in the Reasoning—PR, SN. The correct answer choice is (E)
The principle in the above stimulus contains conditional reasoning. The principle states that if a food contains a certain product that consumers would be concerned if they knew it contained, then the product should be labeled accordingly. We can diagram this relationship as follows:
- Sufficient
Necessary
Product contains controversial ingredients 
Labels should include those ingredients
It is very important to understand and identify the correct flaw in the stimulus before going on to the answer choices. This is because the wording of the answer choices for Flaw in the Reasoning questions is often particularly difficult, and without a strong understanding of the flaw prior to reading the answer choices, the question becomes significantly more time consuming, The flaw occurs in the application of the rule. The application states that since most consumers would not care if Crackly Chips contained genetically engineered ingredients, they do not need to be labeled as containing genetically engineered ingredients. As a conditional relationship, this would be diagramed as follows:
- Sufficient Necessary
Product contains controversial ingredients Labels should include those ingredients
Visually, we can see that this is a Mistaken Negation—we have negated both halves of the conditional statement without also reversing them. We are looking for an answer choice that describes that error.
Answer choice (A): The principle in the stimulus specifies that the conditional relationship applies to the opinions of the consumers of the specific product in question, and not consumers in general. The application is not flawed by only considering consumers of the Crackly Chips, because the principle was equally limited.
Answer choice (B): The principle does not limit itself to situations where the product is actually dangerous; the perception of danger on the part of the consumer is sufficient to require labeling. It does not matter whether or not the product is actually safe. Therefore, proof of safety is irrelevant to the principle and application, and cannot be the correct flaw.
Answer choice (C): The application does not add a value judgment either to the use of labels, nor does it imply a value judgment to the use of certain ingredients. As part of the Prove family of questions, the correct answer choice for Flaw in the Reasoning must be completely supported by facts from the stimulus. If any portion of an answer choice is not fully supported by information from the stimulus, it has to be incorrect.
Answer choice (D): The phrase “takes for granted” indicates that the flaw is an assumption. The application of the principle did not contain any assumptions, so this answer choice cannot be correct.
Answer choice (E): This is the correct answer choice. The application confuses conditional reasoning. The principle states that under a certain condition (when most consumers of a product would be upset to discover a certain ingredient) an action must be taken (labels need to advise of the presence of the ingredient). The application of the principle is flawed because it says in the absence of a certain condition (if there is not a controversy about the ingredient) there is no need to take the above action (indicating the presence of the ingredient on the label). This is the description of a Mistaken Negation, and thus is the correct answer choice.
