Most companies that employ dedicated environmental compliance officers have avoided substantial regulatory penalties. Thus, because most multinational energy corporations employ dedicated environmental compliance officers, it follows that most multinational energy corporations have avoided substantial regulatory penalties.
Which one of the following arguments contains a flawed pattern of reasoning most similar to the one exhibited in the argument above?
- AMost university departments have recently expanded their research budgets. Consequently, the university's overall operating budget must have expanded, given that most faculty members strongly advocated for the increase.
- BIf a software application undergoes rigorous beta testing, it will generally receive favorable reviews upon launch. Many mobile games do not undergo rigorous beta testing, meaning they likely will not receive favorable reviews.
- It is safe to conclude that the majority of the community choir members are classically trained musicians. This is because the majority of individuals who can read sheet music fluently are classically trained musicians, and most of the community choir members can read sheet music fluently.Answer
- DAll companies that employ dedicated environmental compliance officers pass their annual safety audits. Most multinational energy corporations employ dedicated environmental compliance officers, which guarantees that most of these corporations pass their annual safety audits.
- EMost modern abstract paintings are considered highly emotional works. Since an emotional individual is typically prone to irrational decisions, it stands to reason that most abstract paintings are prone to irrational decisions.
Answer
The argument that concludes the majority of community choir members are classically trained musicians because most read sheet music and most who read sheet music are classically trained.
The correct answer accurately parallels the flawed quantifier logic in the stimulus. The stimulus argues that because most A are B, and most B are C, then most A must be C. This is a logical fallacy, as the subset of B that overlaps with A may not be the same subset of B that overlaps with C. The correct answer exhibits this exact same 'most + most' quantifier overreach, concluding that most A (choir members) are C (classically trained) because most A are B (fluent in sheet music) and most B are C.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Parallel Flaw: Chaining 'Most' Quantifiers