Question

On which of these grounds is the debater’s argument most vulnerable to criticism?

• A. It takes for granted that the designing division is a typical division of the corporation with regard to the average amount of overtime its employees work each month.
• B. It takes for granted that if a certain average amount of overtime is worked each month by each employee of the Power Corporation, then approximately the same amount of overtime must be worked each month by each employee of the designing division.
• C. It confuses a claim from which the argument’s conclusion about the Power Corporation would necessarily follow with a claim that would follow from the argument’s conclusion only with a high degree of probability.
• D. It overlooks the possibility that even, on average, a certain amount of overtime is worked by the members of some group, many members of that group may work no overtime at all.
• E. It overlooks the possibility that even, on average, a certain amount of overtime is worked by the members of some group, and many members of the corporation work some overtime each month, but some employees may work none at all.

Hint:

When evaluating an argument based on averages, consider the possibility of individual variations that may not be represented by the average.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Analyze the debater's argument.
The debater argues that since the average overtime worked by employees in the designing division is 15 hours, most employees of the Power Corporation work at least some overtime. The argument assumes that the average overtime worked each month is indicative of all employees working overtime.
Step 2: Identify the flaw.
The flaw in the argument is that it assumes that the average overtime worked by the employees is applicable to all employees. It overlooks the fact that while the average overtime might be 15 hours, some employees may work no overtime at all, and others may work much more. This is crucial for evaluating the debater's argument.
Step 3: Analysis of options.
- (A) It takes for granted that the designing division is a typical division of the corporation with regard to the average amount of overtime its employees work each month: This is not the primary flaw in the argument; it is more concerned with the generalization of overtime.
- (B) It takes for granted that if a certain average amount of overtime is worked each month by each employee of the Power Corporation, then approximately the same amount of overtime must be worked each month by each employee of the designing division: This is an assumption, but it does not directly address the core flaw.
- (C) It confuses a claim from which the argument’s conclusion about the Power Corporation would necessarily follow with a claim that would follow from the argument’s conclusion only with a high degree of probability: This is not the most relevant flaw to the argument about the generalization of overtime work.
- (D) It overlooks the possibility that even, on average, a certain amount of overtime is worked by the members of some group, many members of that group may work no overtime at all: Correct. This directly addresses the issue of generalization and the fallacy of assuming that the average applies to all individuals.
- (E) It overlooks the possibility that even, on average, a certain amount of overtime is worked by the members of some group, and many members of the corporation work some overtime each month, but some employees may work none at all: This is similar to (D) but less precise in addressing the flaw about how the argument generalizes the average.
Step 4: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (D), as it highlights the fundamental flaw in the debater's argument, which assumes that the average overtime worked applies to all individuals.