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Difficulty: Very hardParallel Conditional Logic

A moral theory is considered practically useful only if it provides clear guidelines for daily action. Providing clear guidelines for daily action requires the theory to be based on universally recognizable human experiences. Therefore, any moral theory that is based on universally recognizable human experiences must be considered practically useful.

Which one of the following arguments exhibits a flawed pattern of reasoning most parallel to that exhibited in the argument above?

  1. A software system is deemed secure only if it undergoes rigorous penetration testing. Undergoing rigorous penetration testing requires a dedicated budget for independent auditors. Hence, any software system with a dedicated budget for independent auditors must be deemed secure.Answer
  2. B
    An architectural design is awarded the highest rating only if it incorporates sustainable materials. Incorporating sustainable materials requires sourcing from local suppliers. Thus, any design awarded the highest rating must source from local suppliers.
  3. C
    A newly discovered species is officially classified only if its DNA is fully sequenced. Fully sequencing DNA requires access to advanced laboratory facilities. Therefore, if a newly discovered species is not officially classified, it must not have had access to advanced laboratory facilities.
  4. D
    A corporate merger is approved by regulators only if it maintains market competition. Maintaining market competition requires preventing monopolies. Hence, any merger that maintains market competition must be approved by regulators.
  5. E
    A philosophical treatise is considered highly influential only if it challenges conventional wisdom. Challenging conventional wisdom requires introducing completely novel concepts. Thus, a philosophical treatise that does not introduce completely novel concepts must not be considered highly influential.

Answer

The argument concluding that any software system with a dedicated budget must be deemed secure.
The correct answer exactly mimics the flawed structure of the stimulus. The stimulus establishes a transitive chain: A is sufficient for B, and B is sufficient for C (A -> B -> C). It then erroneously concludes that C is sufficient for A (C -> A). The correct choice establishes that Secure (S) requires Testing (T), and Testing (T) requires Budget (B). This creates the chain S -> T -> B. It then erroneously concludes that having a Budget (B) is sufficient to be Secure (S). This is a perfect match for the Illegal Reversal of the full chain.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the logical structure of the stimulus premises.
Premise 1: Practically Useful (PU) -> Clear Guidelines (CG). Premise 2: Clear Guidelines (CG) -> Universally Recognizable (UR).
Translating indicator words ('only if', 'requires') into formal sufficient-necessary conditions is the first step in parallel conditional reasoning.
2
Analyze the logical structure of the stimulus conclusion and identify the flaw.
Conclusion: Universally Recognizable (UR) -> Practically Useful (PU). Flaw: Illegal Reversal of the transitive chain.
The stimulus chains A -> B and B -> C to form A -> C, but the conclusion illegally reverses this to C -> A.
3
Evaluate the options to find an identical flawed structure (A -> B, B -> C, therefore C -> A).
The correct option correctly translates to: Secure (S) -> Testing (T), Testing (T) -> Budget (B), Therefore Budget (B) -> Secure (S).
Parallel reasoning questions require matching the exact premises, conclusion sequence, and logical flaw present in the stimulus.

Key Concept

Parallel Flaw - Illegal Reversal of a Transitive Chain
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Topics

Parallel Conditional Logic

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