Sufficient Assumption
31 questions
Match each flawed or incomplete argument regarding the restoration of the Fresco of Verano to the sufficient assumption that, if true, logically guarantees its conclusion.
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Read the following argument:
Any synthetic chemical compound that bonds effectively with the Z-receptor will inhibit the replication of the delta-virus. The newly synthesized compound, Brivanex, was designed specifically to target the Z-receptor. Therefore, Brivanex will successfully cure patients infected with the delta-virus.
Is the following statement true or false?
The assumption 'Any compound that inhibits the replication of the delta-virus will successfully cure patients infected with it' is sufficient to logically guarantee the argument's conclusion.
Consider the following argument:
A terrestrial organism can survive prolonged exposure to atmospheric argon only if its cellular membranes contain cryptobiotic proteins. The newly discovered deep-cave lichen *Verrucaria argonensis* contains cryptobiotic proteins in its cellular membranes. Thus, *Verrucaria argonensis* can survive prolonged exposure to atmospheric argon.
The assumption "No terrestrial organism's cellular membranes contain cryptobiotic proteins unless that organism can survive prolonged exposure to atmospheric argon" logically guarantees the argument's conclusion.
Biologist: A localized ecosystem can successfully recover from the abrupt loss of its apex predator only if the population of its primary consumers is actively restricted and the habitat's foundational flora remains largely intact. In the Veridian Valley ecosystem, a viral pathogen recently eradicated the native cougar population, which served as the sole apex predator. Although state wildlife officials have implemented an aggressive culling program that is successfully restricting the population of primary consumers, the Veridian Valley ecosystem will nevertheless fail to recover from the loss of the cougars.
Which one of the following, if assumed, enables the biologist's conclusion to be properly drawn?
Match each flawed argument (which lacks a necessary premise to be logically valid) with the sufficient assumption that, if added to the premises, would allow its conclusion to be properly drawn.
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Art Historian: Extensive chemical analysis confirms that the newly discovered portrait *Lady in Blue* contains genuine ultramarine pigment. Historical records demonstrate that only paintings created prior to the eighteenth century contain genuine ultramarine pigment. Therefore, *Lady in Blue* is undoubtedly a highly valuable artwork.
Statement: The assumption 'Any painting that is highly valuable was created prior to the eighteenth century' is a sufficient assumption that, if added to the premises, logically guarantees the art historian's conclusion.
Consider the following argument by a linguist:
Any constructed language that lacks a mechanism for expressing counterfactuals cannot be fully adopted as a primary language by a speech community. The newly developed language, Novial-X, lacks complex temporal modifiers. Therefore, Novial-X will never be fully adopted as a primary language by a speech community.
The assumption that 'any constructed language that lacks a mechanism for expressing counterfactuals also lacks complex temporal modifiers' is sufficient to logically guarantee the linguist's conclusion.
Financial analyst: Any regional bank that aggressively expands its commercial lending operations faces increased regulatory scrutiny. Over the past year, Sentinel Bank has aggressively expanded its commercial lending operations. It is clear, therefore, that Sentinel Bank will have to hire additional internal compliance officers.
The conclusion of the financial analyst's argument follows logically if which one of the following is assumed?
Match each of the following incomplete arguments with the sufficient assumption that, if added as a premise, would logically guarantee its conclusion.
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Political theorist: A democratic government is legitimate only if it governs with the consent of the governed. Recent independent surveys demonstrate that a majority of the citizens in the nation of Oakhaven strongly oppose the current government's sweeping economic reforms. Therefore, it is clear that the government of Oakhaven has lost its legitimacy.
Which one of the following, if assumed, allows the political theorist's conclusion to be properly drawn?
Sports psychologist: Any athlete who consistently practices mental imagery techniques experiences a significant reduction in pre-game anxiety. Furthermore, all athletes who experience a significant reduction in pre-game anxiety are able to maintain their concentration during the decisive moments of a competition. Thus, we can conclude that any athlete who consistently practices mental imagery techniques will achieve peak physical performance during tournaments.
Which one of the following is an assumption that, if true, allows the sports psychologist's conclusion to be properly drawn?