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655-705 Level|   Logical Flaw|         
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Bunuel
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The only motives that influence all human actions arise from self-inte 13 Apr 2020, 02:16
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65% (hard)

Question Stats:

55% (02:02) correct 45% (02:08) wrong based on 541 sessions

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Competition Mode Question



The only motives that influence all human actions arise from self-interest. It is clear, therefore, that self-interest is the chief influence on human action.

The reasoning in the argument is fallacious because the argument


(A) denies that an observation that a trait is common to all the events in a pattern can contribute to a causal explanation of the pattern

(B) takes the occurrence of one particular influence on a patterns or classes of events as showing that its influence outweighs any other influence on those events

(C) concludes that a characteristic of pattern or class of events at one time is characteristic of similar patterns or classes of events at all times

(D) concludes that because an influence is the paramount influence on a particular pattern or class of events, that influence is the only influence on the pattern or class of events

(E) undermines its own premise that a particular attribute is present in all instances of a certain pattern or class of events
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B
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The only motives that influence all human actions arise from self-inte 13 Apr 2020, 06:36
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Quote:
The only motives that influence all human actions arise from self-interest. It is clear, therefore, that self-interest is the chief influence on human action.

The reasoning in the argument is fallacious because the argument
(A) denies that an observation that a trait is common to all the events in a pattern can contribute to a causal explanation of the pattern
(B) takes the occurrence of one particular influence on a patterns or classes of events as showing that its influence outweighs any other influence on those events
(C) concludes that a characteristic of pattern or class of events at one time is characteristic of similar patterns or classes of events at all times
(D) concludes that because an influence is the paramount influence on a particular pattern or class of events, that influence is the only influence on the pattern or class of events
(E) undermines its own premise that a particular attribute is present in all instances of a certain pattern or class of events
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argument
= ONLY motives that inf actions COME FROM self-int
= thus, self-int is the MAIN influence on actions

ans (B) just bc actions are inf by self-int does not mean it outweighs the rest inf, or that it is the only inf.
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The only motives that influence all human actions arise from self-inte 05 Jun 2022, 19:14
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Bunuel
The only motives that influence all human actions arise from self-interest. It is clear, therefore, that self-interest is the chief influence on human action.

The reasoning in the argument is fallacious because the argument

(A) denies that an observation that a trait is common to all the events in a pattern can contribute to a causal explanation of the pattern

(B) takes the occurrence of one particular influence on a patterns or classes of events as showing that its influence outweighs any other influence on those events

(C) concludes that a characteristic of pattern or class of events at one time is characteristic of similar patterns or classes of events at all times

(D) concludes that because an influence is the paramount influence on a particular pattern or class of events, that influence is the only influence on the pattern or class of events

(E) undermines its own premise that a particular attribute is present in all instances of a certain pattern or class of events
Show more

It was between B and D where i got stuck and unfortunately went for D.
Although I had my doubts on "paramount influence" as in how that influence could have been paramount. Being paramount is different than being the only influence. Also, 'only motives' is true and not 'only influence'. The choice uses similar words and traps.

In B, I took 'outweighs' as not inferable from 'chief influence', however, it is, if not directly then from POE.
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The only motives that influence all human actions arise from self-inte 09 Apr 2024, 20:22
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Hey folks,
I can see a bit of confusion on this question between answer choice B and D.
Assuming that you have been able to eliminate all other choices.
Lets see the line of reasoning
"Self Interest ---------> Motive ----------> Human Action"
According to this answer choice D states that if Self interest is the most dominating influence ( paramount influence) in the chain of events, it is the only event which is wrong.
Consider this in a certain equation way
Human Action = 0.8(Motive)+0.2(Self Interest) or can also be written as 0.2(Motive)+0.8(Self Interest) ( here 0.2 and 0.8 are weightages given)
From this we can see that at any point of time if one element has high weightage than other, this doesn't mean that lower weightage element can be discarded.
Hope this makes things clear
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The only motives that influence all human actions arise from self-inte 11 Dec 2024, 11:43
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unraveled Bunuel KarishmaB MartyMurray GMATNinja

Hello Experts! Please provide your guidance here. I am blank. Why would any of the answer choices be right here when we know from the premise and conclusion that only "self-interest" is the driving force /motive behind all human actions?!

I appreciate any help you can provide.­
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The only motives that influence all human actions arise from self-inte 13 Dec 2024, 05:03
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Bunuel

Competition Mode Question



The only motives that influence all human actions arise from self-interest. It is clear, therefore, that self-interest is the chief influence on human action.

The reasoning in the argument is fallacious because the argument


(A) denies that an observation that a trait is common to all the events in a pattern can contribute to a causal explanation of the pattern

(B) takes the occurrence of one particular influence on a patterns or classes of events as showing that its influence outweighs any other influence on those events

(C) concludes that a characteristic of pattern or class of events at one time is characteristic of similar patterns or classes of events at all times

(D) concludes that because an influence is the paramount influence on a particular pattern or class of events, that influence is the only influence on the pattern or class of events

(E) undermines its own premise that a particular attribute is present in all instances of a certain pattern or class of events
Show more


Premise: The only motives that influence all human actions arise from self-interest.


Say there are 3 motives that influence ALL human actions - money, power and self-worth
There could be other motives also that influence some of the human actions (but not all actions) - say these motives are sympathy for fellow beings, love etc.

But the premise tells that the motives that influence all of the actions arise from self-interest. So money, power and self-worth arise from self-interest.

Conclusion of the author: Self-interest is the chief influence on human action.

Just because self interest influences EVERY action, it doesn't mean that it is the chief influence on every action. Love could be the chief influence on some actions. Sympathy could be the chief influence on some other actions etc.

So why is the conclusion wrong?

(B) It takes the occurrence of one particular influence on a patterns or classes of events as showing that its influence outweighs any other influence on those events.

Makes sense right? Since self-interest influences the human action, the author is showing that it is the main influence on human action i.e. itn influence outweighs all the influences.


Answer (B)
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