Examkin

Question

Difficulty: HardIdentifying Unstated Assumptions

Consider the following argument: Urban atmospheric pollution accelerates the decay of historic stained-glass windows through chemical corrosion. To protect a landmark cathedral's 14th-century windows, conservators propose installing protective secondary glazing panels on the exterior facade. Because these panels block airborne sulfur compounds and regulate surface humidity, conservators conclude that this intervention will significantly decrease the overall rate of deterioration experienced by the historic glass over the next decade.

True or False: The argument relies on the unstated assumption that the physical installation of the secondary glazing panels will not introduce mechanical damage or structural strain to the historic glass that offsets the reduction in chemical deterioration.

Answer: Answer

Answer

True. The argument depends on the unstated assumption that the installation process will not introduce mechanical damage that offsets the chemical protection gained.
The author concludes that installing secondary glazing will cause a net decrease in overall glass deterioration based solely on evidence that the panels reduce chemical corrosion. For a net decrease to occur, any negative side-effects resulting from the intervention—such as mechanical damage during installation—must not equal or exceed the chemical damage prevented. Applying the Negation Test confirms that if installation damage offsets the chemical protection, the conclusion fails. Thus, the statement represents a necessary unstated assumption.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the argument's premise and conclusion.
Premise: Secondary glazing panels block sulfur compounds and regulate humidity, preventing chemical corrosion. Conclusion: Installing the panels will significantly decrease the overall deterioration rate of the historic glass.
Analyzing the scope shift from a specific benefit (chemical protection) to an overall outcome (total deterioration rate) exposes unstated gaps in the logic.
2
Evaluate potential side-effects or implementation gaps.
The argument assumes that achieving the specific chemical benefit will translate directly into a net reduction in overall damage.
If implementing a plan introduces new damage, the net benefit claimed by the conclusion may not be realized.
3
Apply the Negation Test to the statement.
Negated statement: The physical installation WILL introduce mechanical damage or structural strain that offsets the reduction in chemical deterioration. Outcome: The conclusion that overall deterioration will significantly decrease is completely undermined.
A statement whose logical negation invalidates the main conclusion is a necessary unstated assumption of the argument.

Key Concept

Negation Test for Necessary Assumptions
Rate this question

Topics

Identifying Unstated Assumptions

More questions from this topic