The word Inference is used in two different senses, which are often co

Question

New Project RC Butler 2019  -  Practice 2 RC Passages Everyday   
Passage # 269, Date : 15-Aug-2019
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The word Inference is used in two different senses, which are often confused but should be carefully distinguished. In the first sense, it means a process of thought or reasoning by which the mind passes from facts or statements presented, to some opinion or expectation. The data may be very vague and slight, prompting no more than a guess or surmise; as from the trick of a man’s face entertain some prejudice as to his character. Or the data may be important and strongly significant, like the footprint that frightened Crusoe into thinking of cannibals, or as when news of war makes the city expect that Consols will fall. These are examples of the act of inferring, or of inference as a process; and with inference in this sense Logic has nothing to do; it belongs to Psychology to explain how it is that our minds pass from one perception or thought to another thought, and how we come to conjecture, conclude and believe. In the second sense, ‘inference’ means not this process of guessing or opining, but the result of it; the surmise, opinion, or belief when formed; in a word, the conclusion: and it is in this sense that Inference is treated off in Logic. The subject-matter of Logic is an inference, judgment or conclusion concerning facts, embodied in a proposition, which is to be examined in relation to the evidence that may be adduced for it, in order to determine whether, or how far, the evidence amounts to proof.

Logic is the science of Reasoning in the sense in which ‘reasoning’ means giving reasons, for it shows what sort of reasons are good. Whilst Psychology explains how the mind goes forward from data to conclusions, Logic takes a conclusion and goes back to the data, inquiring whether those data, together with any other evidence (facts or principles) that can be collected, are of a nature to warrant the conclusion. If we think that John Doe is of an amiable disposition, that water expands on freezing, or that one means to national prosperity is popular education, and wish to know whether we have evidence sufficient to justify us in holding these opinions, Logic can tell us what form the evidence should assume in order to be conclusive. But whatever facts constitute the evidence, they must, in order to prove the point, admit of being stated in conformity with certain principles or conditions; and of these principles or conditions Logic is the science. It deals, then, not with the subjective process of inferring, but with the objective grounds that justify or discredit the inference.   1 
 1. What is the primary purpose of the passage?

(A) To explain the different connotations of inference 
(B) To discuss how inference lays the foundation for Logic to work on 
(C) To critique the commonly held belief that Logic works on Psychology alone 
(D) To establish a relationship between Logic and Psychology 
(E) To point out the role of Psychology in the art of inference

2 
 2. Which of the following best describes the relationship between Psychology and Logic?

(A) Logic is superior to Psychology. 
(B) Psychology and Logic both are types of Inferences.
(C) Logic helps us evaluate whether the evidence used is sound and Psychology helps us evaluate whether the conclusion arrived at is sound. 
(D) Psychology helps explain the thought process in arriving at a conclusion whereas Logic helps validate whether this thought process is correct. 
(E) Logic is a more accurate science than Psychology because the latter is based on the use of assumptions.

3 
 3. As described in the passage, each of the following could be an example of Inference in terms of its first connotation, EXCEPT:

(A) A man taking shelter under a tree upon noticing dark clouds in the sky 
(B) A child dropping a glass jar that shatters into pieces 
(C) A child smiling when he sees his mother come towards him with a box of chocolates 
(D) A driver bracing himself against the seat on noticing that the car’s brakes have failed 
(E) A dog wagging its tail at the smell of food

4

4. The passage states which of the following about Logic?

(A) Logic is often embodied in a proposition. 
(B) Logic helps explain how we arrive at a conclusion from some evidence. 
(C) Logic is a subjective form of Inferring. 
(D) Logic can help evaluate the veracity of a conclusion. 
(E) Logic helps us arrive at valid conclusions.

Skywalker18 · Answer

All correct in 7 mins, including 4 mins to read
Para 1- 2 different senses in which 'inference' is used
Para 2- Logic and Psychology - how they work

1. What is the primary purpose of the passage?  
(A) To explain the different connotations of inference - incorrect, the word 'connotation'(hidden meaning) makes it incorrect
(B) To discuss how inference lays the foundation for Logic to work on - Correct
(C) To critique the commonly held belief that Logic works on Psychology alone - incorrect
(D) To establish a relationship between Logic and Psychology - incorrect, the relationship is not the primary purpose as it is too narrow in scope
(E) To point out the role of Psychology in the art of inference- incorrect

AjiteshArun  ,  GMATNinja  ,  MagooshExpert  ,  GMATGuruNY  ,  VeritasPrepBrian  , MartyTargetTestPrep  ,  DmitryFarber  ,  VeritasKarishma  ,  generis  ,  jennpt  ,  VeritasPrepErika  , other experts - can option A be a valid contender if we change 'connotations' to 'meanings'? (I understand that para 2 does talk mostly about logic and how it works.)

2. Which of the following best describes the relationship between Psychology and Logic? 
(D) Psychology helps explain the thought process in arriving at a conclusion whereas Logic helps validate whether this thought process is correct. 
Whilst Psychology explains how the mind goes forward from data to conclusions, Logic takes a conclusion and goes back to the data, inquiring whether those data, together with any other evidence (facts or principles) that can be collected, are of a nature to warrant the conclusion.

3. As described in the passage, each of the following could be an example of Inference in terms of its first connotation, EXCEPT:  
 In the first sense, it means a process of thought or reasoning by which the mind passes from facts or statements presented, to some opinion or expectation. The data may be very vague and slight, prompting no more than a guess or surmise; as from the trick of a man’s face entertain some prejudice as to his character.

(A) A man taking shelter under a tree upon noticing dark clouds in the sky - incorrect, here we can see that man upon noticing dark clouds expects thunderstorm/rain to follow and thus takes shelter
(B) A child dropping a glass jar that shatters into pieces - Correct
(C) A child smiling when he sees his mother come towards him with a box of chocolates - incorrect, here the child expects that the box of chocolate is for him/her
(D) A driver bracing himself against the seat on noticing that the car’s brakes have failed - incorrect, here the driver expects a crash to occur
(E) A dog wagging its tail at the smell of food - incorrect, the dog excepts that it might be provided with food
Answer B

4. The passage states which of the following about Logic? 
(D) Logic can help evaluate the veracity of a conclusion. - Correct

Logic takes a conclusion and goes back to the data, inquiring whether those data, together with any other evidence (facts or principles) that can be collected, are of a nature to warrant the conclusion.

ArihantJain18 · Answer

Got 3/4 correct in 8:30 minutes. 
Difficulty Level?

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Difficulty Level

Question #1:   750

Question #2:   600

Question #3:   500

Question #4:   700

Overall :   650

Rajdeep1989 · Answer

My Query is from Question 4.

Read the line in the passage : "Logic takes a conclusion and goes back to the data, inquiring whether those data, together with any other evidence (facts or principles) that can be collected, are of a nature to warrant the conclusion"

From the above line the answer seems to be :
Option(B) ie "Logic helps explain how we arrive at a conclusion from some evidence"

vaibhav1221 · Answer

Question 1, option A cannot be the answer as the passage is not only talking about inferences but also about the relationship between logic and inference. Option A only talks about inferences, hence, it can be deemed incorrect.

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

Passage Map

P1  – To explain the two different connotations of Inference

P2  – To elaborate on one of these connotations by describing the relationship between Logic and Inference

1. What is the primary purpose of the passage?

Difficulty Level:   750

Explanation

The author first discusses the  two connotations  of Inference and then goes on to talk of Logic as a science which bases itself on the second of these connotations. The rest of the passage further discusses this connection between  Logic and Inference.  Thus,  (B)  is the correct answer.

(A)  This is limited only to  para 1.

(C)  The author never critiques anything in the passage.

(D)  Psychology is mentioned only in connection with the first connotation of Inference.

(E)  Same as  D.

Answer: B

shubhhu123 · Answer

I also finished in about 8 mins. with same score. difficulty level is 600-700

VerbalBot · Answer

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The word Inference is used in two different senses, which are often co

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The word Inference is used in two different senses, which are often co

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