Critical Reasoning

Human beings have cognitive faculties that are
superior to those of other animals, and once humans
become aware of these, they cannot be made happy
by anything that does not involve gratification of
these faculties.

Which one of the following statements, if true, most
calls into question the view above?

(A) Certain animals—dolphins and chimpanzees,
for example—appear to be capable of
rational communication.
(B) Many people familiar both with intellectual
stimulation and with physical pleasures
enjoy the latter more.
(C) Someone who never experienced classical
music as a child will usually prefer popular
music as an adult.
(D) Many people who are serious athletes consider
themselves to be happy.
(E) Many people who are serious athletes love
gourmet food.

Please explain your answers.

The question is basically asking which answer choice most weakens the argument.

Premise: Human beings have cognitive faculties that are superior to those of other animals

Conclusion: Once humans become aware of their cognitive faculties, they cannot be made happy by anything that does not involve gratification of these faculties.

We have to look for an option that weakens the conclusion. Option B says that many people enjoy physical pleasures more than intellectual stimulation. That's the answer

kanha81 wrote:Human beings have cognitive faculties that are
superior to those of other animals, and once humans
become aware of these, they cannot be made happy
by anything that does not involve gratification of
these faculties.

Which one of the following statements, if true, most
calls into question the view above?

(A) Certain animals—dolphins and chimpanzees,
for example—appear to be capable of
rational communication.
(B) Many people familiar both with intellectual
stimulation and with physical pleasures
enjoy the latter more.
(C) Someone who never experienced classical
music as a child will usually prefer popular
music as an adult.
(D) Many people who are serious athletes consider
themselves to be happy.
(E) Many people who are serious athletes love
gourmet food.

Please explain your answers.

Is it D? My logic is that serious athletes might get happiness not because of these abilities but because of some other reason. The argument says that human beings 'cannot' be made happy by any other means but gratification of these faculties.
Prioritizing physical pleasure, or popular music or loving gourmet food doesn't relate to happiness..and A seems to be out of scope. We are discussing about how human beings feel and not the animals communicate

Please post the OA

the answer is B.
I think the ques has been posted previously on this forum, not sure though.
My reaoning is same as vemuri's..

ketkoag wrote:the answer is B.
I think the ques has been posted previously on this forum, not sure though.
My reaoning is same as vemuri's..

Could not find the question stem, hence posted it for futher discussion.

Vemuri & Ketkoag, you both absolutely correct in your reasoning. OA [spoiler][/spoiler]

IMO B

We have to say humans can be happy without the gratification of cognitive faculties.

B exactly does that.

Thanks
Raama

cognitive means " relating to mental process of knowing including reasoning and judgment"

So B clearly weakens.

OA is B

source "powerscore CR Bible

Karan

I would go for B as well