Editorial: Given the law of supply and demand, maximum total utility

Question

Editorial: Given the law of supply and demand, maximum total utility is assured only in a pure free market economy, although other types of economies might be able to achieve it. Obviously, then, a country that has a highly controlled economy, and is not trying to bring about a pure free market economy, is not acting in the way that is most likely to bring about maximum total utility.

The editorial’s argument is most vulnerable to criticism on the grounds that it

(A) presumes, without providing justification, that any country that does not have a pure free market economy has a highly controlled economy
(B) presumes, without providing justification, that the way in which utility is distributed is less important than the total amount of utility
(C) fails to consider that the way most likely to achieve a particular end may not be the only way to achieve that end
(D) presumes, without providing justification, that trying to bring about a condition that will ensure the achievement of an end must always be the way most likely to achieve that end
(E) ignores the possibility that a pure free market economy will have serious drawbacks that outweigh the benefits of maximum total utility

ruchik · Answer

I was confused between C and D. 
I feel D is correct.
Noticed that towards the end of the first sentence, the argument says, "although other types of economies might be able to achieve  ."

That claim can be used to eliminate answer choice (C). The argument never says that it's the only way to bring about the end, just that it's the way most likely to achieve that end, so answer choice (D) is correct.

Skywalker18 · Answer

Editorial: Given the law of supply and demand, maximum total utility is assured only in a pure free market economy, although other types of economies might be able to achieve it. Obviously, then, a country that has a highly controlled economy, and is not trying to bring about a pure free market economy, is not acting in the way that is most likely to bring about maximum total utility.

Boil it down- a country that has a highly controlled economy, and is not trying to bring about a pure free market economy, is not acting in the way that is most likely to bring about maximum total utility.

The editorial’s argument is most vulnerable to criticism on the grounds that it

(A) presumes, without providing justification, that any country that does not have a pure free market economy has a highly controlled economy - Incorrect
(B) presumes, without providing justification, that the way in which utility is distributed is less important than the total amount of utility - incorrect - No comparison about the relative importance of total utility and the way in which it is distributed is made.
(C) fails to consider that the way most likely to achieve a particular end may not be the only way to achieve that end- incorrect - The argument suggested that other economic systems may also be able to achieve maximum total utility.
(D) presumes, without providing justification, that trying to bring about a condition that will ensure the achievement of an end must always be the way most likely to achieve that end- Correct
(E) ignores the possibility that a pure free market economy will have serious drawbacks that outweigh the benefits of maximum total utility- incorrect-- no discussion about drawbacks

thelastskybender · Answer

Is option D right because argument concludes something about likelihood "..not acting in the way that is most likely to bring about maximum total utility" ? and we can't logically conclude anything about something's being likely from the argument above.  KarishmaB

KarishmaB · Answer

This is a flaw in reasoning question.

Only PFM economy will certainly achieve MTU.
Other economies may be able to achieve MTU (but it is not certain).

Conclusion: 
Hence, a non PFM economy (which is not trying to become PFM) is not acting in the way that is most likely to bring about MTU.

So the premises say that PFM assures MTU. Others could also get MTU but it is not certain. 
It concludes that if you are not trying to be PFM, you are not acting in a way that is most likely to get you MTU. But here is the thing- what if it is very hard to become PFM? and what if it is easier instead to just try to get MTU. What if for a non PFM economy, converting into PFM is less likely to happen but it is more likely to get MTU by trying to get just MTU?

Option (D) gives us this flaw.
(D) presumes, without providing justification, that trying to bring about a condition that will ensure the achievement of an end must always be the way most likely to achieve that end

trying to bring about a condition (PFM) that will ensure the achievement of an end (get MTU) must always be the way most likely to achieve that end (get MTU)

This question can be easily solved using elimination of other options even if you don't have the time to fully understand what it is saying.

Answer (D)

VerbalBot · Answer

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Editorial: Given the law of supply and demand, maximum total utility

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