A municipal government's achievement of a significantly reduced budget deficit is strictly contingent upon the implementation of comprehensive tax reforms. The implementation of such reforms, in turn, invariably precipitates widespread public dissatisfaction in the short term. Consequently, any municipality currently experiencing widespread short-term public dissatisfaction must have succeeded in significantly reducing its budget deficit.
Which one of the following arguments contains a flawed pattern of reasoning most similar to the one in the argument above?
- Consistently attending the weekly seminar invariably guarantees that a student will receive a glowing letter of recommendation from the department chair. Furthermore, a student's mastery of the advanced physics curriculum is strictly contingent upon their consistent attendance at this seminar. It follows that any student in possession of such a recommendation letter must have mastered the advanced physics curriculum.Answer
- BA national legislature's success in stimulating economic growth is strictly contingent upon its passage of comprehensive deregulation bills. The passage of such bills invariably precipitates a short-term increase in corporate mergers. Consequently, any national legislature that fails to stimulate economic growth must have avoided a short-term increase in corporate mergers.
- CObtaining a senior executive position at the firm requires an employee to complete the intensive international rotation program. Completing this program inevitably leads to a comprehensive understanding of global market dynamics. Therefore, anyone who obtains a senior executive position at the firm will inevitably develop a comprehensive understanding of global market dynamics.
- DThe preservation of historical landmarks in the city center relies heavily on private donor contributions. Most private donor contributions are accompanied by stipulations regarding how the funds should be managed. Thus, any preserved historical landmark in the city center must be subject to stipulations regarding fund management.
- EAchieving financial independence requires an individual to eliminate all outstanding high-interest debt. Eliminating high-interest debt always results in a significantly improved credit score. Hence, anyone with a significantly improved credit score has achieved true personal independence.
Answer
The correct argument is the one concluding that any student possessing a recommendation letter must have mastered the advanced physics curriculum.
The stimulus exhibits an Illegal Reversal of a transitive conditional chain. It establishes that reducing a deficit (A) requires tax reforms (B), and tax reforms (B) always lead to dissatisfaction (C). The valid inference is A -> C. However, the stimulus concludes that experiencing dissatisfaction (C) proves the deficit was reduced (A). The correct answer structurally replicates this exact flaw: it establishes that mastery (A) requires attendance (B), and attendance (B) guarantees a letter (C). It then incorrectly concludes that having a letter (C) guarantees mastery (A). Although the premises in the correct option are presented in reverse order compared to the stimulus, the underlying flawed logical structure (A -> B, B -> C, therefore C -> A) is identical.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Parallel Flaw - Transitive Illegal Reversal