An argument concludes that if the average water temperature of a coral reef rises by two degrees, the local marine biodiversity will decline drastically. The argument relies on explicit premises and one unstated sufficient assumption.
Arrange the following statements in a logical sequence to construct a continuous, valid deductive chain (A → B, B → C, C → D) that demonstrates how the sufficient assumption bridges the premises to logically guarantee the argument's final conclusion (A → D).
- 1If the average water temperature of the reef rises by two degrees, the symbiotic algae living within the corals will be expelled.
- 2The expulsion of symbiotic algae from the corals inevitably causes the ecosystem to experience a severe bleaching event.
- 3Any ecosystem that experiences a severe bleaching event will suffer a drastic decline in local marine biodiversity.
- 4Therefore, a two-degree rise in the reef's average water temperature will result in a drastic decline in local marine biodiversity.
Answer
The correct sequence begins with the initial premise regarding the temperature rise, connects to the sufficient assumption about the bleaching event, proceeds to the final premise about biodiversity, and ends with the formal conclusion.
A valid deductive chain must link the sufficient condition of one statement to the necessary condition of the next. The sequence correctly begins with the initial premise (A → B), connects seamlessly to the sufficient assumption (B → C), moves to the final premise (C → D), and ultimately arrives at the logically guaranteed conclusion (A → D).
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Constructing a continuous conditional logic chain to validate a sufficient assumption.