Consider the following argument: "A recent industry report notes that successful corporate managers display high ambition when setting quarterly targets. However, psychologists define ambition as an excessive desire for personal dominance over others. Therefore, successful corporate managers must possess an excessive desire for personal dominance."
Match each component or statement from the argument on the left with its corresponding contextual meaning or logical role on the right.
- Usage of 'ambition' in the first premise (industry report)Professional drive to set and attain high performance goals
- Usage of 'ambition' in the second premise (psychological definition)Clinical trait characterized by an excessive desire for dominance
- Logical flaw in drawing the final conclusionEquivocating by shifting the definition of a key term between premises
Answer
The first premise's usage of 'ambition' corresponds to 'Professional drive to set and attain high performance goals'; the second premise's usage corresponds to 'Clinical trait characterized by an excessive desire for dominance'; and the logical flaw corresponds to 'Equivocating by shifting the definition of a key term between premises'.
Matching each item correctly demonstrates an understanding of how the term 'ambition' undergoes a shift in meaning from a general business drive to a psychological trait, causing the fallacy of equivocation.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Equivocation and Shift in Term Meaning