Critical Reasoning

Select the logical inference based on the following statements:

The leaders of Bhutan have taken a novel approach by running the government under the guiding philosophy of maintaining a high level of "Gross National Happiness". As a result of this policy, Bhutan is now considered the happiest country in Asia and the eighth happiest country in the world.


(A) Bhutan would be the happiest country in the world if the government had done a better job of following the philosophy of Gross National Happiness.

(B) If the Bhutanese people were generally unhappy, the government's focus on Gross National Happiness would not have been considered a success.

(C) Had the Bhutanese government not focused on happiness, they would not be considered the happiest country in Asia.

(D) People in Asia are less happy generally than people living in other continents, including North and South America.

(E) Tradition is more important than modernity in creating Gross National Happiness in a country.

OA B

would be great if you can explain your choice and the reason for knocking out others

IMO B

The reasoning is based on simple cause and effect scenario:

X ---> Y is equivalent to Not Y --> Not X

here X is "Gross National Happiness" and Y is "Bhutan is now considered the happiest country in Asia"

Option B says : if Bhutanese people were unhappy (NOT Y) ---> the government's focus on Gross National Happiness would not have been considered a success (NOT X)

knocking others down

(A) Bhutan would be the happiest country in the world if the government had done a better job of following the philosophy of Gross National Happiness. (no information about other approaches )

(C) Had the Bhutanese government not focused on happiness, they would not be considered the happiest country in Asia. (reasoning X--> Y cannot be written as NOT X--> NOT Y)

(D) People in Asia are less happy generally than people living in other continents, including North and South America. (out of scope)

(E) Tradition is more important than modernity in creating Gross National Happiness in a country.(no discussion on which is better Tradition or creating Gross National Happiness)

smackmartine wrote:IMO B

The reasoning is based on simple cause and effect scenario:

X ---> Y is equivalent to Not Y --> Not X

here X is "Gross National Happiness" and Y is "Bhutan is now considered the happiest country in Asia"

Option B says : if Bhutanese people were unhappy (NOT Y) ---> the government's focus on Gross National Happiness would not have been considered a success (NOT X)

Thanks for your reply smackmartine

Unfortunately I was unable to pick up that element of logic.. Do you look for a particular tell so as to pick up on that If x then Y logic.

thanks in advance