A municipal health board announced that implementing a comprehensive vector-control program is essential for eliminating endemic dengue transmission in urban districts. Last year, the city of Solaria fully funded and executed a comprehensive vector-control program across all its urban districts. Therefore, city health officials concluded that endemic dengue transmission has now been successfully eliminated in Solaria.
Which of the following best describes the reasoning vulnerability in the health officials' argument?
- AIt presumes that a vector-control program cannot be successfully executed without full municipal funding.
- BIt infers that because the vector-control program preceded a reduction in virus transmission, the program must have been the sole cause of that reduction.
- It treats a condition that is required for eliminating dengue transmission as though it is sufficient to guarantee that elimination.Answer
- DIt assumes without justification that Solaria's vector-control protocols will remain effective under changing climatic conditions.
- EIt fails to consider that implementing vector-control programs might inadvertently increase human exposure to other pest-borne pathogens.
Answer
The argument treats a condition that is necessary for eliminating dengue transmission as though it were sufficient to guarantee that outcome.
The correct answer accurately identifies the core logical flaw: the premise states that a comprehensive vector-control program is 'essential' (necessary) for eliminating dengue transmission. However, the health officials conclude that merely executing this program guarantees that dengue transmission has been eliminated. This treats a necessary prerequisite as a sufficient condition for success.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Confusing Necessary and Sufficient Conditions
Estimated Time:2m 0s