Some statisticians claim that the surest way to increase the overall correctness of the total set of one’s beliefs is: never change that set, except by rejecting a belief when given adequate evidence against it. However, if this were the only rule one followed, then whenever one were presented with any kind of evidence, one would have to either reject some of one’s beliefs or else leave one’s beliefs unchanged. But then, over time, one could only have fewer and fewer beliefs. Since we need many beliefs in order to survive, the statisticians’ claim must be mistaken.
The argument is most vulnerable to criticism on the grounds that it
(A) presumes, without providing any justification, that the surest way of increasing the overall correctness of the total set of one’s beliefs must not hinder one’s ability to survive.
(B) neglects the possibility that even while following the statisticians’ rule, one might also accept new beliefs when presented with some kinds of evidence.
(C) overlooks the possibility that some large sets of beliefs are more correct overall than are some small sets of beliefs.
(D) takes for granted that one should accept some beliefs related to survival even when given adequate evidence against them.
(E) takes for granted that the beliefs we need in order to have many beliefs must all be correct beliefs.
Answer: (A)
Again, it is fun to deduce this. First, let us eliminate the wrong answer choices.
(B) is wrong because you can't change the total set of beliefs by adding to it (the surest way criticized says so!)
(C) is irrelevant
(D) is wrong because it holds the statisticians' claim against a person who rejects the statisticians' claim
(E) is irrelevant twaddle
Let's work (A) out...
According to some statisticians:
Surest way to increase correctness of the total set of beliefs --> Reduction in beliefs (1)
According to the person who rejects the statisticians' claim, survival requires maintaining some beliefs, or, ~(reduction in beliefs).
Survival --> ~(Reduction in beliefs)
(or)
Reduction in beliefs --> ~Survival (2)
Taking an assumptive leap by combining (1) and (2),
Surest way to increase correctness of the total set of beliefs --> ~ Survival
In other words, the person who rejects the statisticians' claim is assuming that the surest way proposed by them hinders survival. This clearly implies that this person is assuming that any surest way of increasing the total set of beliefs must not hinder survival, which is what (A) says.
The argument is most vulnerable to criticism on the grounds that it
(A) presumes, without providing any justification, that the surest way of increasing the overall correctness of the total set of one’s beliefs must not hinder one’s ability to survive.
(B) neglects the possibility that even while following the statisticians’ rule, one might also accept new beliefs when presented with some kinds of evidence.
(C) overlooks the possibility that some large sets of beliefs are more correct overall than are some small sets of beliefs.
(D) takes for granted that one should accept some beliefs related to survival even when given adequate evidence against them.
(E) takes for granted that the beliefs we need in order to have many beliefs must all be correct beliefs.
Answer: (A)
Again, it is fun to deduce this. First, let us eliminate the wrong answer choices.
(B) is wrong because you can't change the total set of beliefs by adding to it (the surest way criticized says so!)
(C) is irrelevant
(D) is wrong because it holds the statisticians' claim against a person who rejects the statisticians' claim
(E) is irrelevant twaddle
Let's work (A) out...
According to some statisticians:
Surest way to increase correctness of the total set of beliefs --> Reduction in beliefs (1)
According to the person who rejects the statisticians' claim, survival requires maintaining some beliefs, or, ~(reduction in beliefs).
Survival --> ~(Reduction in beliefs)
(or)
Reduction in beliefs --> ~Survival (2)
Taking an assumptive leap by combining (1) and (2),
Surest way to increase correctness of the total set of beliefs --> ~ Survival
In other words, the person who rejects the statisticians' claim is assuming that the surest way proposed by them hinders survival. This clearly implies that this person is assuming that any surest way of increasing the total set of beliefs must not hinder survival, which is what (A) says.
1 comment:
Title; FREE Premium Mobile Bar & Marquee Hire In The UK!
!
Description; We Also Offer Professional Catering & Bouncy Castle Hire For Weddings, Birthdays & Events – Midlands, Wales, Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Walsall, Derby & Staffor
Utopiabars
Post a Comment