how to weaken

avik.ch wrote:I am not sure, how we can weaken the evidence.

An Example from Powerscore :

All my neighbour owns a blue car. Therefore, I own a blue car.

I cannot think of a weakening scenerio where -

the premise : All my neighbour owns a blue car, is weakened.

But in case of complex argument, we can do that. Since the premise of the main conclusion is the conclusion of another argument, its possible.

Example :

Every year 80% people who give GMAT from India score 700+ in GMAT. So India is the best place to take GMAT. If you are considering to take GMAT, take in India.

1st argument :

Premise/fact : Every year 80% people who give GMAT from India score 700+ in GMAT
Conclusion : So India is the best place to take GMAT.

2nd argument ;

Premise : So India is the best place to take GMAT
Conclusion : If you are considering to take GMAT, take in India.

here the premise of the main conclusion can be weakened but not the fact - 80% people who take GMAT.

Hope this helps !!

shekhar.kataria wrote:Avik..


NIce Examle...

Question apart... are the statistics correct below ? is it true that 80% score 700+

duongthang wrote:one way to weaken argument is providing evidence which directly weaken the conclusion. Type 1.
another way to weaken argument is weakening the assumption. type 2.

Please, give me the example of type 1. pls, experts members

A conservation group in the United States is trying to change the long-standing image of bats as frightening creatures. The group contends that bats are feared and persecuted solely because they are shy animals that are active only at night.

Which of the following, if true, would cast the most serious doubt on the accuracy of the group's contention?

(A) Bats are steadily losing natural roosting places such as caves and hollow trees and are thus turning to more developed areas for roosting.
(B) Bats are the chief consumers of nocturnal insects and thus can help make their hunting territory more pleasant for humans.
(C) Bats are regarded as frightening creatures not only in the United States but also in Europe, Africa, and South America.
(D) Raccoons and owls are shy and active only at night, yet they are not generally feared and persecuted.
(E) People know more about the behavior of other greatly feared animal species, such as lions, alligators, and snakes, than they do about the behavior of bats.

sam2304 wrote:

A conservation group in the United States is trying to change the long-standing image of bats as frightening creatures. The group contends that bats are feared and persecuted solely because they are shy animals that are active only at night.

Which of the following, if true, would cast the most serious doubt on the accuracy of the group's contention?

(A) Bats are steadily losing natural roosting places such as caves and hollow trees and are thus turning to more developed areas for roosting.
(B) Bats are the chief consumers of nocturnal insects and thus can help make their hunting territory more pleasant for humans.
(C) Bats are regarded as frightening creatures not only in the United States but also in Europe, Africa, and South America.
(D) Raccoons and owls are shy and active only at night, yet they are not generally feared and persecuted.
(E) People know more about the behavior of other greatly feared animal species, such as lions, alligators, and snakes, than they do about the behavior of bats.

I hope this is what you have been looking for. Group contends that bats are feared and persecuted because they are shy and active only at night.

Here we are weakening by providing a new information that attacks the conclusion directly. D is the right answer to this question

Hope this helps !!!