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Zorluk: KolayWeakening Arguments

An organic apple orchard installed owl nesting boxes throughout its acreage six months ago to control the local field mouse population without using chemical pesticides. Recent surveys show that the field mouse population in the orchard has declined by 40 percent over the past six months. The orchard owner concludes that the presence of owls attracted by the nesting boxes caused the reduction in the field mouse population. Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the orchard owner's argument?

  1. Three months ago, the orchard introduced several feral barn cats specifically trained to hunt field mice across the property.Cevap
  2. B
    Analysis of owl pellets collected near the nesting boxes revealed bone fragments of field mice native to the orchard.
  3. C
    Chemical pesticides used in non-organic orchards in the region are more effective at eliminating field mice than biological control methods.
  4. D
    The cost of building and maintaining owl nesting boxes is significantly less than the annual expense of purchasing chemical pesticides.
  5. E
    Regional predatory bird populations have grown steadily across the state over the past decade.

Cevap

The argument is most seriously weakened by the statement that the orchard introduced several feral barn cats three months ago to hunt field mice across the property.
The correct option introduces a plausible alternative cause for the decline in the field mouse population. Showing that barn cats were introduced during the same period undermines the conclusion that the owls were the cause of the decrease.

Adım Adım Çözüm

1
Identify the author's conclusion and underlying premises.
Premise: Nesting boxes were installed six months ago, and field mouse populations declined by 40% over the same period. Conclusion: Owls attracted by the boxes caused the decline.
Understanding the precise causal claim is essential for determining how to weaken it.
2
Determine the logical vulnerability in the argument.
The argument assumes a causal relationship solely based on a temporal correlation between the installation of nesting boxes and the mouse population decline, failing to rule out alternative causes.
Weakening a causal claim typically involves presenting a plausible alternative cause for the observed outcome.
3
Evaluate the options to find the one that introduces an alternative cause.
The option introducing feral barn cats brought in three months ago provides a competing explanation for the reduction in field mice.
If barn cats reduced the mouse population, the decline cannot be attributed solely or primarily to the owls.

Anahtar Kavram

Weakening Arguments - Alternative Cause
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Konular

Weakening Arguments

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