Mathematician: Recently, Zubin Ghosh made headlines

[HarvardHopeful]

Mathematician: Recently, Zubin Ghosh made headlines when he was recognized to have solved the Hilbert Conjecture, made a hundred years ago. Ghosh simply posted his work on the Internet, rather than submitting it to established journals. In fact, he has no job, let alone a university position; he lives alone and has refused all acclaim. In reporting on Ghosh, the press unfortunately has reinforced the popular view that mathematicians are antisocial loners. But mathematicians actually form a tightly knit community, frequently collaborating on important efforts; indeed, teams of researchers are working together to extend Ghosh's findings.

In the argument above, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?

(A) The first is an observation the author makes to illustrate a social pattern; the second is a generalization of that pattern.
(B) The first is evidence in favor of the popular view expressed in the argument; the second is a brief restatement of that view.
(C) The first is a specific example of a generalization that the author contradicts; the second is a reiteration of that generalization.
(D) The first is a specific counterexample to a generalization that the author asserts; the second is that generalization.
(E) The first is a detail provided in support of a statement of belief; the second is that statement.

The correct answer is (D).

CR - AAS - #7

From what I understand about generalizations, it seems like the second boldface portion is not a generalization but a fact presented in the argument. Can you please clarify how it is a generalization and relates to the argument as such? Thanks.

[JonathanSchneider]

The second boldface says "mathematicians actually form a tight-knit community." This is a generalization because it cannot be true for ALL mathematicians. Instead, the author means to suggest that in general mathematicians form a tight-knit community. This is made more clear by the fact that Ghosh, the mathematician in question, is NOT part of a tight-knit community. Thus, it would not make sense to declare as fact the idea that all mathematicians form a community.