Musicologist: In the book Musical Decay, the author argues that modern

Question

Musicologist: In the book Musical Decay, the author argues that modern-day orchestral music lacks the innovation that characterized orchestral music in the preceding centuries. The book’s assertion is sound, as its analysis of two hundred orchestral compositions, one hundred old and one hundred modern-day ones, credibly illustrates that none of the contemporary compositions are as innovative as the older compositions.

Which of the following points to the most serious logical flaw in the musicologist’s argument?

A. The specific techniques currently used in orchestral music could allow for less innovation than do techniques used in other genres of music.
B. There could be measures aside from the degree of innovation found in a composition by which to judge it.
C. The book’s title could influence readers to accept the book's assertion before reading the analysis of the compositions that support it.
D. The compositions the book's author selected for analysis could be those that best support the book's assertion.
E. Readers unfamiliar with the terminology of music criticism might remain unconvinced by the book's analysis of the two hundred compositions.

This is a  CR Butler Question

Check the links to other Butler Projects:
 
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  Reading Comprehension Butler

postAlone · Answer

Option D

Premise:  The book "Musical Decay" claims modern orchestral music lacks innovation compared to earlier centuries. 
  Evidence:  Analysis of 200 orchestral compositions (100 old, 100 modern) shows none of the contemporary ones are as innovative as the older ones. 
  Conclusion:  The book's assertion is sound.

A. Different techniques in orchestral vs. other genres  
 
  This addresses whether orchestral music specifically might have constraints, but doesn't attack the core logic of comparing old vs. new orchestral compositions.
   
  B. Other measures besides innovation  
 
  This suggests innovation might not be the only (or best) criterion for judging music quality, but the argument is specifically  about  innovation, so this is somewhat tangential.
   
  C. The book's title influencing readers  
 
  This is about reader psychology, not a flaw in the logical structure of the argument itself.
   
  D. Selection bias in the compositions analyzed   
 
   This is the most serious flaw.  The author may have cherry-picked compositions that support the predetermined conclusion. If you selectively choose which 100 old and 100 modern compositions to analyze, you can easily manipulate the outcome. This represents a fundamental methodological flaw that undermines the entire evidential basis. 
  
  E. Reader unfamiliarity with terminology  
 
  This is about communication effectiveness, not logical validity.

chloreton · Answer

Straightway D,
 
This is what is called as sample selection bias. I have seen this tested in many other questions. Keep a note of it.

vasu1104 · Answer

modern day OM lack the innovation that characterized OM in the preceding centuries. 
 reason- book analysis two hundred orchestral composition, 100 old and 100 new. 
 this shows that contemporary compositions are as innovative as older compositions.

conclusion- books assertion is sound.

A wrong comparison. reject. 
 B then why are not they using it? reject. 
 C but the assertion is being made by author and we need to find why he could be wrong. this is garbage. out. 
 D yes. what if author has some pre-conceived notion and wants to prove that only. so he only selected those songs that could help him prove this point. this hits the logic. 
 E this has no impact whatsoever.

BongBideshini · Answer

One of the best ways to solve a logical flaw question is to identify the underlying assumptions.

Two main assumptions/flaws jumped out at me:
 
  Selection Bias:  Are these 100 modern compositions representative? If the author hand-picked the 100 least innovative modern songs and the 100 most innovative historical ones, the comparison is skewed.  
  Sample Size:  Is a sample of 100 compositions large enough to judge the innovation level of an entire era? If the sample is too small, the conclusion lacks statistical significance.  
Since  Choice D  hits on the first point, it’s the most serious flaw.

Adit_ · Answer

B makes a semi-decent point here but it is irrelevant as the entire topic is only about innovation and them having other measures would be irrelevant to judging innovation nonetheless.
 Option D  perfect shows the selection bias resulting in the aforementioned results.

ExpertsGlobal5 · Answer

D is the best choice.  
 
  Video explanation:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEzKpWrL0LQ

Musicologist: In the book Musical Decay, the author argues that modern

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Musicologist: In the book Musical Decay, the author argues that modern

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615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

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