Read the following argument carefully, then match each key term from the argument to the specific shift in meaning it undergoes between the premise context and the conclusion context:
'To ensure market stability, regulatory boards must foster fair competition among competing energy firms. However, fair competition exists only when no firm holds an unfair advantage over its rivals. Because companies holding proprietary patents on green technology possess a clear operational advantage not shared by competitors, patent enforcement violates fair competition. Thus, patent protections undermine market stability.'
- 'Fair competition'Shifts from meaning the uniform enforcement of impartial regulatory rules to meaning an equal distribution of technological capabilities among rivals.
- 'Unfair advantage'Shifts from referring to improper or non-competitive market practices to referring to legitimate advantages earned through proprietary innovation.
- 'Market stability'Shifts from denoting macroeconomic predictability and order to denoting the shielding of existing market actors from competitive disruption.
Answer
The terms 'Fair competition', 'Unfair advantage', and 'Market stability' each shift from standard regulatory definitions in the premises to overly restrictive, outcome-focused definitions in the conclusion.
The correct pairings accurately pinpoint how each term's scope changes to make an invalid conclusion appear logically valid. 'Fair competition' shifts from impartial rules to equal capabilities; 'unfair advantage' shifts from illegal practice to legal patent ownership; and 'market stability' shifts from structural order to protection from competitive innovation.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Equivocation and Shift in Term Meaning
Estimated Time:2m 0s