Read the following argument, then evaluate the statement below it.
Political Commentator: In any robust democracy, the ruling party will inevitably face plummeting approval ratings during an economic recession. The ruling Coalition Party is currently facing plummeting approval ratings amidst a severe economic recession. Therefore, despite recent claims to the contrary by international observers, it is clear that our country remains a robust democracy.
Statement: The commentator's reasoning is flawed because it infers that a certain political condition is absent merely on the grounds that a condition sufficient to guarantee its presence is absent.
Answer: Answer
Answer
The statement is False.
The statement is false because it describes the wrong logical fallacy. The statement describes an 'illegal negation' (inferring something is absent because a sufficient condition is absent). However, the argument explicitly concludes that a condition (robust democracy) is present. The argument actually commits an 'illegal reversal' by treating a necessary result (plummeting ratings) as sufficient evidence to prove the initial condition.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Distinguishing between descriptions of Illegal Reversals (Affirming the Consequent) and Illegal Negations (Denying the Antecedent) in conditional reasoning.
Estimated Time:1m 30s