| Critical Reasoning Butler: May 2025 |
| May 14 | CR 1 | CR 2 |
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CR 1 It is in fact illegal to make use of prison labor from foreign countries that have poor human rights records. However, if our company does not do so, others will.
Which of the following is most like the argument above in its logical structure?
A) Negotiating with striking workers does, in fact, go against the company’s policies. However, the company must negotiate in some cases, if it wants to prevent major losses.
B) Hunting deer in this forest is indeed illegal. However, if the defendant had not hunted these deer someone else certainly would have done so.
C) It is true that military officers are forbidden to endorse political candidates. But if the Colonel's interview is read closely, it will be clearly seen that no actual endorsement was made by her in this case.
D) In Argentina, refusing to vote is indeed illegal. However, the country has a long tradition of objecting to the law.
E) It is true that the law forbids landlords to increase a tenant's rent without three months’ notice. But there have been many landlords who have done so, regardless.
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CR 2 In the near future, safety experts will be able to perfectly identify any vehicular design flaw that might lead to an accident. Eventually, material sciences will grow so advanced that vehicle manufacturers will be able to ensure the resolution of any such flaw. Therefore, vehicles made by manufacturers who properly identify and resolve these flaws will never have an accident.
The argument above is based on which of the following assumptions?
A) For every vehicular design flaw, there is only one resolution that can prevent it from leading to an accident.
B) In the future, material sciences will be the only area of research of any importance to vehicle manufacturers.
C) Vehicle manufacturers will follow expert safety advice when they are convinced that it is effective.
D) All vehicles have some design flaw that can lead to an accident.
E) All vehicular accidents are in part the result of the vehicle’s design flaws.