Curator: The rapid deterioration of the ancient manuscript's parchment must be the result of fluctuations in the archives' humidity levels. When the deterioration was first noticed, we suspected three potential causes: exposure to ultraviolet light, chemical off-gassing from the new display cases, or humidity fluctuations. We have since confirmed that the manuscript was entirely shielded from UV light, and extensive air quality tests found absolutely no trace of chemical off-gassing in the room.
Which one of the following most accurately describes the method of reasoning used in the curator's argument?
- AInferring a causal connection between two events based solely on the observation that they occurred simultaneously.
- BConcluding that a condition is the cause of an effect because it is the only condition sufficient to produce that effect.
- Establishing a particular explanation for a phenomenon by systematically rejecting all other proposed explanations.Answer
- DAttempting to establish a conclusion by undermining the intermediate conclusions of competing arguments.
- ERelying on unstated information outside the scope of the immediate context to disprove alternative hypotheses.
Answer
The option stating that the argument establishes a particular explanation by systematically rejecting all other proposed explanations.
The curator reaches a conclusion about the cause of the manuscript's deterioration by introducing a finite list of three potential causes, and then providing evidence to explicitly rule out two of them. This leaves the third option (humidity fluctuations) as the only remaining plausible cause. This logical structure is a classic argument by elimination.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Argument by Elimination