Principle and Parallel Reasoning Flashcards

A city council member argues: 'We should fund programs that benefit the greatest number of residents. The new library branch benefits only 200 residents, while road repairs benefit 50,000 residents. Therefore, we should fund road repairs instead of the library.' Which principle, if valid, most directly supports this argument?

Answer: Public funds should be allocated to maximize the number of beneficiaries.

The argument relies on the principle that public funding decisions should maximize the number of people who benefit, which directly justifies choosing road repairs over the library.

Which of the following arguments most closely parallels this reasoning: 'Since all published research requires peer review, and this manuscript has not been peer reviewed, it should not be cited as established science'?

Answer: Since all legitimate currencies are government-issued, and this token is not government-issued, it is not legitimate currency.

The original argument has the form: All X require Y; this lacks Y; therefore it is not X — option B mirrors this structure exactly with currencies and government issuance.

A teacher states: 'Students who cheat undermine academic integrity. Anyone who undermines academic integrity should face consequences. Therefore, students who cheat should face consequences.' Which argument below uses the same logical structure?

Answer: Factories that pollute harm the environment, and anything that harms the environment should be regulated, so polluting factories should be regulated.

Both arguments use a syllogistic chain: A does B; anything that does B deserves C; therefore A deserves C — the pollution argument mirrors this precisely.

A principle states: 'An action is morally permissible only if it respects the autonomy of all affected parties.' A judge applies this principle to rule that a company's nondisclosure agreement is impermissible. Which scenario best justifies this ruling?

Answer: The NDA prevents employees from discussing their own health conditions with doctors.

Preventing employees from discussing their own medical conditions with doctors undermines their personal autonomy, directly violating the stated principle.

Analyst: 'Countries that maintain trade deficits consistently experience currency depreciation. Ruritania has maintained a trade deficit for five years. Therefore, Ruritania's currency has depreciated.' The flaw in this reasoning most closely parallels which of the following?

Answer: Heavy smokers often develop lung disease. This patient has lung disease. Therefore, this patient is a heavy smoker.

The analyst's error is affirming the consequent — concluding that because a common effect is present, the usual cause must be present — and option B makes the identical error.

A principle holds that a witness's testimony should be discounted whenever they have a financial interest in the outcome. A lawyer argues this principle supports dismissing a forensic accountant's testimony. Which additional fact would most strengthen this application of the principle?

Answer: The accountant's firm stands to gain a major contract if the defendant is convicted.

If the accountant's firm benefits financially from a conviction, the accountant has a financial interest in the outcome, directly triggering the principle's discount rule.

The following argument: 'Every senator who voted for the bill received campaign donations from the energy industry. Senator Marsh voted for the bill. So Senator Marsh received donations from the energy industry.' This argument is MOST similar in structure to which of the following?

Answer: Every winner of the prize studied abroad. Chen won the prize. So Chen studied abroad.

The original has the valid form: All A are B; X is A; therefore X is B — option B mirrors this exactly with prize winners and studying abroad.