Match each logical argument on the left with the necessary supporter assumption on the right that correctly bridges the gap between its premise and its conclusion.
- According to classical utilitarianism, only policies that maximize aggregate happiness are considered morally justified. Therefore, the recently proposed healthcare legislation is not morally justified.The recently proposed healthcare legislation will fail to maximize aggregate happiness.
- Avian species that build their nests exclusively on the ground are highly susceptible to predation by invasive mammals. Thus, the indigenous ground-weaver bird is highly susceptible to such predation.The indigenous ground-weaver bird constructs its nests solely on the ground.
- A startup company cannot secure Series B funding unless it has demonstrated consistent month-over-month user growth for a year. It follows that NovaTech will not secure Series B funding this quarter.NovaTech has not demonstrated consistent month-over-month user growth for a full year.
- Only artifacts forged before the Bronze Age collapse can accurately be classified as true Minoan relics. Consequently, the newly discovered copper shield cannot be classified as a true Minoan relic.The newly discovered copper shield was not forged prior to the Bronze Age collapse.
Answer
The utilitarian argument pairs with the legislation failing to maximize happiness. The avian argument pairs with the ground-weaver bird nesting on the ground. The startup argument pairs with NovaTech lacking consistent growth. The artifact argument pairs with the shield not being forged before the collapse.
Each correct match successfully bridges the logical gap between the argument's premises and its conclusion. By formally linking the 'rogue' subject introduced in the conclusion to the conditional rules provided in the premises, the assumptions validate the inferences (often by satisfying the sufficient condition or triggering the contrapositive).
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Bridging Gap (Supporter) Assumptions in Formal Logic