Agronomist: Any heirloom wheat variety that possesses the dwarf gene Rht-B1b produces a root system extensive enough to withstand severe seasonal drought. The newly cataloged 'Heritage Red' wheat variety produces a root system extensive enough to withstand severe seasonal drought. Therefore, 'Heritage Red' wheat must possess the Rht-B1b dwarf gene.
Which of the following arguments exhibits a flawed pattern of reasoning most similar to that in the agronomist's argument?
- AAny wheat variety susceptible to stripe rust suffers significant yield reduction during humid growing seasons. The 'Golden Prairie' wheat variety did not suffer significant yield reduction during the humid growing season. Hence, 'Golden Prairie' cannot be susceptible to stripe rust.
- BAny suspension bridge engineered with aerodynamic fairings can withstand sustained crosswinds exceeding one hundred kilometers per hour. The Osprey Narrows bridge was not engineered with aerodynamic fairings. Thus, the Osprey Narrows bridge cannot withstand sustained crosswinds exceeding one hundred kilometers per hour.
- Every marine invertebrate specimen recovered from the Burgess Shale formation that lived during the Middle Cambrian epoch possesses mineralized sclerites. The fossilized specimen cataloged as Marrella possesses mineralized sclerites. Therefore, the Marrella specimen must have lived during the Middle Cambrian epoch.Answer
- DSome satellite thrusters that use xenon propellant are capable of continuous operation for five years. The ion thruster on the Astra probe is capable of continuous operation for five years. Consequently, the Astra probe's thruster must use xenon propellant.
- EEvery oil painting completed before the seventeenth century that contains smalt pigment experiences discoloration over time. The portrait of Duchess Eleanor contains smalt pigment. Since it was completed in the sixteenth century, it will inevitably experience discoloration over time.
Answer
The argument concluding that the Marrella fossil specimen must have lived during the Middle Cambrian epoch because it possesses mineralized sclerites.
The argument concerning the Burgess Shale fossil exhibits the exact same formal fallacy of Affirming the Consequent. It begins with a universal conditional rule that if a Burgess Shale marine invertebrate lived during the Middle Cambrian epoch, it possesses mineralized sclerites. It then asserts that a specific specimen satisfies the necessary condition (possesses mineralized sclerites) and fallaciously infers that it must satisfy the sufficient condition (lived during the Middle Cambrian epoch).
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Parallel Flaw: Affirming the Consequent (Mistaken Reversal)
Estimated Time:1m 20s