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Question

Difficulty: Very hardGeneral Method of Reasoning

Evolutionary Biologist: Classical evolutionary theory predicts that traits severely reducing an individual organism’s reproductive success should be rapidly eliminated by natural selection. Yet, the worker castes of many insect species are entirely sterile. This fact is frequently cited by critics as a fatal flaw in the theory. However, this objection dissolves once we shift our focus from the individual organism to the genetic level. Because a sterile worker shares a vast majority of its genes with its colony's reproducing queen, the worker's labor actively ensures the propagation of its own genetic code.

Which one of the following most accurately describes the method of reasoning employed by the evolutionary biologist?

  1. A
    defending a theory by demonstrating that its critics have exploited an ambiguity in the definition of a core concept
  2. B
    dismissing a theoretical challenge by arguing that it focuses on an empirical anomaly rather than a fundamental principle
  3. C
    refuting a critique by showing that a phenomenon cited as a counterexample is actually a necessary precondition for the theory's validity
  4. overcoming an objection to a theoretical paradigm by shifting the level of analysis at which a central mechanism is appliedAnswer
  5. E
    challenging the critics' ultimate conclusion by demonstrating that their intermediate premise directly supports the original theory

Answer

The correct option is the one stating that the author overcomes an objection by shifting the level of analysis at which a central mechanism is applied.
The correct answer perfectly maps to the author's structural logic. The author explicitly defends the 'theoretical paradigm' (classical evolutionary theory) against an 'objection' (sterile workers). To do this, the author shifts the 'level of analysis' from the 'individual organism' to the 'genetic level', demonstrating that the 'central mechanism' (natural selection based on reproductive success) still functions effectively at this new scale.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the main conclusion of the biologist's argument.
The main conclusion is that the critics' objection (that sterile workers disprove evolutionary theory) is resolved and invalid.
This establishes the author's primary goal: to defend a theoretical paradigm against a specific attack.
2
Analyze the critics' argument that the author is responding to.
The critics argue that natural selection should eliminate sterility because it reduces an individual's reproductive success.
Understanding the opposing view is necessary to identify exactly how the author dismantles it.
3
Determine the structural tactic the author uses to neutralize the critics' argument.
The author explicitly states we must 'shift our focus from the individual organism to the genetic level' to see how the worker's labor propagates its own genetic code.
This is the core argumentative move: changing the scope or scale of how we view 'reproductive success'.
4
Translate the specific subject matter into abstract, topic-neutral language.
'Evolutionary theory' becomes 'theoretical paradigm'; 'shifting focus from individual to genetic level' becomes 'shifting the level of analysis'; 'natural selection/propagation' becomes 'central mechanism'.
Method of Reasoning questions require matching the logical structure to highly abstract descriptions.

Key Concept

Identifying abstract argumentative structures, specifically the tactic of redefining the scope or scale of an evaluation to resolve an apparent contradiction.
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Topics

General Method of Reasoning

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