ISAT - International Student Admissions Argument Evaluation and Flaws 3

Question 1

'Every successful entrepreneur I know dropped out of college. Therefore, dropping out increases your chances of becoming a successful entrepreneur.' Evaluate the reasoning.

Accepted Answer

The argument suffers from survivorship bias -- it considers only successful dropouts while ignoring the vast majority who dropped out and did not succeed

Answer

The reasoning is sound because it is based on real examples

Answer

The sample size is too small for any conclusion

Answer

The argument is a valid induction from observed cases

Question 2

A health magazine claims: 'This supplement has been used for centuries in traditional medicine, so it must be effective.' What flaw undermines this reasoning?

Accepted Answer

The appeal to tradition assumes that historical use validates effectiveness, ignoring that longevity of practice does not constitute scientific evidence

Answer

Traditional medicine should not be mentioned in modern publications

Answer

The supplement might be too expensive

Answer

The magazine may have a conflict of interest

Question 3

'The crime rate went down after we installed more street lights. Therefore, better lighting reduces crime.' What additional information would most help evaluate this causal claim?

Accepted Answer

Whether other changes occurred simultaneously, such as increased police patrols, economic improvements, or demographic shifts

Answer

The cost of installing the street lights

Answer

Public opinion about the lighting

Answer

Crime rates in areas without street lights

Question 4

'Most people support the new policy, so it must be the right decision.' Which best describes this flaw?

Accepted Answer

Bandwagon fallacy (argumentum ad populum) -- popularity does not establish correctness

Answer

Hasty generalization

Answer

Appeal to authority

Answer

Straw man

Question 5

'Students who eat breakfast perform better academically. Therefore, schools should provide free breakfast to improve academic outcomes.' What assumption bridges the gap?

Accepted Answer

That the correlation reflects a causal relationship where eating breakfast directly improves cognitive function for academic tasks

Answer

All students enjoy eating breakfast

Answer

School cafeterias can serve breakfast

Answer

Parents are unable to provide breakfast at home

Question 6

'We shouldn't listen to Dr. Kumar's climate research findings because she receives funding from an environmental organization.' Identify the primary flaw.

Accepted Answer

This is an ad hominem attack -- dismissing research based on the researcher's funding rather than evaluating the methodology and evidence

Answer

The claim about funding is likely false

Answer

Environmental organizations should not fund research

Answer

Dr. Kumar's research must be biased