CR Doubts

[supratim7]

Noticed a new approach in the CR answer section in OG-12, answer key for 122, page #647

"Q: Which of the following, if true, most strongly supports the hypothesis?

Reasoning: Which of the options, if true, would provide the most support for the musicologists’ hypothesis? One way to approach this question is to ask yourself, "If this option were false, would the hypothesis be less likely to be true?"

when I employed this method to re-evaluate the answer choices, I did find it easier to spot the OA.

So, is it a valid way to spot a strengthener (i.e. the correct choice when negated would weaken the conclusion)?? Would you suggest this approach??

Thank you :)

[RonPurewal]

DO NOT try to make "rules" for critical reasoning. Massive fail. It won't work.

As with everything else in CR, you have to make this judgment about each situation individually.

E.g.,
Hot weather increases appetite.
If 5 randomly chosen people all eat more when it's hot outside, that's a strengthener.
If the opposite is true (they all eat less, or the same amount, when it's hot), that's a weakener.

BUT
Russian is not taught at this university.
If you pick 5 random students at the university and one of them is studying Russian there, that's a huge weakener.
On the other hand, if none of the 5 students is studying Russian, that doesn't really strengthen the argument, since only a small % of university students study each subject at any given time.

[supratim7]

Thank you for the advice and the example/illustration Ron.

I don't start hunting for rules as my first line of attack, for any part, be it verbal or quant. I do understand that one cannot (and shouldn't) bypass the "thinking/judgement" part. But wont you agree that they help in situations when one's "thinking/judgement" gets somewhat blurred?

[RonPurewal]

Thank you for the advice and the example/illustration Ron.

I don't start hunting for rules as my first line of attack, for any part, be it verbal or quant. I do understand that one cannot (and shouldn't) bypass the "thinking/judgement" part. But wont you agree that they help in situations when one's "thinking/judgement" gets somewhat blurred?

In critical reasoning?
No.

In fact, they will do precisely the opposite -- they will prevent you from being able to think clearly.

[supratim7]

Ah.. that's one misconception eliminated :)
Thank you for the reply Ron.

[RonPurewal]

Ah.. that's one misconception eliminated :)
Thank you for the reply Ron.

You're welcome.