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Difficulty: EasyWeaken

Argument: A recent study observed that individuals who consume green tea daily are significantly less likely to contract the common cold compared to those who do not drink green tea. The researchers concluded that specific antioxidants in green tea actively strengthen the immune system against cold viruses.

Statement: The new evidence that individuals who drink green tea daily are also much more likely to practice rigorous hand hygiene and avoid crowded places during cold season weakens the researchers' conclusion.

Answer: Answer

Answer

True
The statement accurately reflects how to weaken a correlation-to-causation argument. By pointing out that the group experiencing fewer colds also engages in behaviors known to prevent illness (hand hygiene, avoiding crowds), the new evidence provides a strong alternate explanation for the outcome. This significantly weakens the researchers' conclusion that green tea was the determining factor.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the original argument to identify the premise and conclusion.
The premise is a correlation between drinking green tea and having fewer colds. The conclusion is that green tea directly causes this reduction in colds.
Understanding the logical structure of the argument is essential for evaluating how new evidence affects it.
2
Examine the new evidence provided in the statement.
The evidence shows that green tea drinkers also share another trait: they practice better hygiene and avoid crowds.
We must understand the content of the new information to assess its logical impact.
3
Evaluate the impact of the new evidence on the argument's conclusion.
The new evidence provides an alternative cause (hygiene) for the effect (fewer colds), which makes the researchers' conclusion about green tea less likely to be the true cause.
Providing an alternate explanation for an observed correlation is a standard and effective method to weaken a causal conclusion.

Key Concept

Weakening a causal argument by providing an alternative explanation for an observed correlation.
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