Marine Biologist: For a coral reef restoration project in shallow tropical waters to succeed over the long term, the surrounding water temperatures must remain consistently below 30 degrees Celsius during summer months. Satellite telemetry records confirm that sea-surface temperatures around the newly established Marabella Reef sanctuary did not exceed 29 degrees Celsius at any point this past summer. Therefore, we can be certain that the Marabella Reef restoration project will achieve long-term success.
The argument's reasoning is most vulnerable to criticism on the grounds that it
- Aattacks the professional integrity of the researchers overseeing the restoration rather than addressing their empirical findings
- Brejects the accuracy of the satellite telemetry records without providing alternative oceanographic data
- treats a condition that is required for the long-term success of the project as one that is sufficient to guarantee that successAnswer
- Dconfuses a statement that serves as an intermediate conclusion with the overall conclusion of the argument
- Einfers that because water temperatures remained low during one summer, they will never rise above 30 degrees Celsius in any future decade
Answer
Treats a condition that is required for the long-term success of the project as one that is sufficient to guarantee that success
The biologist establishes that water temperature remaining below 30 degrees Celsius is necessary ('must remain') for long-term project success. However, fulfilling this necessary condition does not guarantee success, because other essential factors could fail. By concluding that success is certain solely because this prerequisite was met, the argument treats a necessary condition as a sufficient condition.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Necessary versus Sufficient Conditions