the term shift in sufficient assumption Q

[brandonhsi]

Hello, I have a question for the term shift type insufficient assumption Q.

PT35, S4, Q14, PT 32, S4, Q4, and PT38, S4, Q16 are the questions I believe are examples for this type of questions.

I want to say first what I see from the explanations in the LR guide for PT35, S4, Q14, PT 32, S4, Q4, and PT38, S4, Q16.

They all deal with the term shift, so there is a gap to fill. In all explanations for 3 questions, they ALL somehow state "A means/are B?" to point out the gap. However, after PT35, S4, Q14, I have been worried about possible reverse logic wrong answer stated in the explanation. Therefore, whenever I see "A means/are B?", I take that I need to state "if A --> then B" to fill the gap. Within these 3 questions, I can only use "if A --> then B" for PT35, S4, Q14.

I am still confused when I can say "if A --> then B" for the term shift questions, and when I can't do that. It seems most of time, I can't or shouldn't use "if A --> then B" when I see "A means/is B?" as the gap.

Thanks!

[tommywallach]

Hey Brandon,

So, being totally honest, I don't understand your question. There is no such thing as a "term shift assumption" question. Let me take one of the questions you mentioned specifically (and in general, it would be best to address your issue in terms of just one question, using the content of the question, rather than trying to explain it in a vague way about multiple questions).

Prep test 32, Section 4, Question 4

This is a Sufficient Assumption question:

Premise: Every visceral emotion is sometimes healthy to express.

Conclusion: There are situations in which it is healthy to express anger.

Now, the gap here is obvious (Anger = visceral emotion). As for "term shift," I assume you mean that the conclusion is about "anger" while the premise is about "visceral emotion". However, from there, I have no idea what your question is. Could you explain it relative to this?

(However, I have a major side note. I don't see why we need to overthink this beyond what's already written. We know what the assumption needs to be, so what could stand in the way?)

-t

[brandonhsi]

Thanks! Let me explain why these questions confuse me, or I should say the explanations in the LR guide confuse me:

First, PT35, S4, Q14 (LR guide, page 81, last paragraph):

"There is a term shift, or concept shift, between "having a good perspective" and "not taking success for granted." ... This argument assumes that "having a good perspective" MEANS that one will "not take success for granted."

Here the gap is a conditional logic: "having a good perspective" --> "not take success for granted"

The reversed one is wrong: "having a good perspective" --> "not take success for granted"

Now, PT38, S4, Q16, LR guide, Page 208:

"Notice the difference in subject matter between people who do not believe others distrust them and those who tend to rust others. We need to connect these ideas, and we need to connect them in the RIGHT ORDER. For this argument to be sound, we need to show that those who do not believe others distrust them are people who tend to trust others."

Now, given I have done PT35, S4, Q14, and my approach to PT38, S4, Q16 is like the explnations stated above. I would say the correct answer is "those who do not believe others distrust them" --> "are people who tend to trust others." I couldn't find an answer choice in this order. The reversed logic which was a wrong answer choice in PT35, S4, Q14 now is the correct answer in PT38, S4, Q16.

Both questions' explanations are saying the same things:

1. A means/are B, and
2. the connecting order is important.

However, the correct answers for both questions are reversed based on a very similar approach in the explanations.

I understand if I write out the conditional logic for PT38, S4, Q16, I would get the correct answer: givein A --> B; C --> B; need to have C --> A to prove the conclustion.

I also undstand I need to watch out for a reserved logic as a common incorrect answer in this type of question, but I am confused about how to determine the correct order after reading explanations for these two questions.

As for PT 32, S4, Q4, I understand the order doesn't really matter in this question, since Anger is one of visceral emotions.

Thank you in advance!