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Zorluk: OrtaEvaluate the Argument

Anthropologist: At the Korba archaeological site, the stone tools discovered are highly standardized in shape and size. In contrast, tools found at other hominin sites from the exact same era are highly varied and lack any uniform pattern. Creating highly standardized tools requires the application of precise, consistent manufacturing techniques. Therefore, the standardization of the Korba tools demonstrates that the Korba hominins possessed a more advanced system of communication than their contemporaries, which allowed them to instruct one another in these techniques.

Which one of the following would it be most useful to establish in order to evaluate the anthropologist's argument?

  1. A
    Whether the archaeologists who excavated the Korba site were aware of the varied tools found at contemporaneous sites before they published their findings
  2. B
    Whether the varied tools manufactured by contemporaneous hominins were just as effective for their intended survival tasks as the standardized tools found at Korba
  3. C
    Whether a high percentage of standardized tools at the Korba site corresponds to a significantly larger absolute number of tools than what was found at contemporaneous sites
  4. Whether precise, consistent manufacturing techniques can be effectively transmitted between individuals through visual observation and physical imitation aloneCevap
  5. E
    Whether possessing an advanced system of communication guarantees that a hominin group will manufacture standardized rather than varied stone tools

Cevap

The correct answer is the option asking whether precise, consistent manufacturing techniques can be transmitted through observation and imitation alone.
The correct answer directly targets the central assumption of the argument. The anthropologist assumes that teaching precise toolmaking techniques requires an advanced system of communication. By asking whether these techniques could instead be taught through simple visual observation and physical imitation, this option perfectly applies the Variance Test. If the answer is 'yes', the argument is severely weakened because the hominins wouldn't need advanced communication. If the answer is 'no', the argument is strengthened because it rules out the most plausible alternative method of teaching.

Adım Adım Çözüm

1
Identify the conclusion and premises of the argument.
Conclusion: Korba hominins had a more advanced system of communication. Premises: Korba tools are standardized; standardized tools require precise, consistent techniques.
Understanding the structure of the argument is the critical first step in evaluating its logical soundness.
2
Locate the logical gap or unstated assumption in the anthropologist's reasoning.
The anthropologist assumes that 'instructing one another' in precise, consistent techniques necessarily requires an 'advanced system of communication.'
Identifying the unstated assumption reveals the vulnerability of the argument.
3
Apply the Variance Test to the answer choices.
The correct answer must uniquely strengthen the conclusion if answered one way, and weaken it if answered the opposite way.
The Variance Test is the definitive method for confirming the correct answer in 'Evaluate the Argument' questions.
4
Evaluate the correct option using the Variance Test.
If techniques CAN be transmitted by visual imitation alone (Yes), it weakens the claim that advanced communication was needed. If they CANNOT (No), it strengthens the claim that advanced communication was strictly necessary.
This confirms that resolving this specific factual ambiguity decisively impacts the validity of the argument.

Anahtar Kavram

Applying the Variance Test to identify the core assumption bridging the premises and the conclusion.
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Konular

Evaluate the Argument

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