A
The argument assumes the truth of the conclusion for which it purports to be providing evidence.
B
The argument attempts to establish the falsehood of a proposition by criticizing the reasoning of those who assert its truth.
C
The argument attempts to establish a conclusion on the basis of stronger evidence than the conclusion requires.
D
The argument confuses a necessary condition for a phenomenon with a sufficient condition for that phenomenon.
E
The argument presumes, without providing warrant, that because certain conditions only sometimes precede a certain phenomenon, these conditions always bring about the phenomenon.
Winston: The rules for awarding Nobel Prizes stipulate that no more than three people can share the same prize. Nobel Prizes in scientific disciplines are generally given in recognition of particular scientific results, however, and many important results are the work of four or more scientists.
Sanjay: Those rules also stipulate that prize winners must be living, but some highly influential scientists died before their work was fully appreciated.
Speaker 1 Summary
Winston tells us that the rules for awarding Nobel Prizes do not allow more than three people to share the same prize. Prizes in scientific disciplines are typically given for scientific results, which often involve the work of more than three scientists. This suggests that some scientists who worked on prize-winning work might not receive a Nobel Prize.
Speaker 2 Summary
Sanjay tells us that the Nobel Prize rules also require winners to be living. Some influential scientists died before their work was fully appreciated. This suggests that some dead scientists might not be able to win a Nobel Prize, even if their work ends up worthy of a prize.
Objective
We’re looking for a point of agreement. The speakers agree that Nobel Prize rules may end up preventing some scientists who would deserve a prize from winning one.
A
the rules that govern the awarding of Nobel Prizes should be changed so that prizes can be awarded to deceased persons
Neither speaker expresses an opinion. Nobody indicates what should or should not be the case. The speakers simply describe aspects of Nobel Prize rules without suggesting those aspects are good or bad.
B
the rules that govern the awarding of Nobel Prizes in scientific disciplines should be different from the rules for other Nobel Prizes
Neither speaker expresses an opinion. Nobody indicates what should or should not be the case. The speakers simply describe aspects of Nobel Prize rules without suggesting those aspects are good or bad.
C
Nobel Prizes in scientific disciplines should not be given in recognition of particular scientific results
Neither speaker expresses an opinion. Nobody indicates what should or should not be the case. The speakers simply describe aspects of Nobel Prize rules without suggesting those aspects are good or bad.
D
the evaluation of individual achievement in science is a highly subjective matter
Neither speaker expresses an opinion. Nobody discusses the subjectivity of evaluating individual achievement in science. They simply describe aspects of Nobel Prize rules and how they might prevent some scientists from obtaining a prize.
E
Nobel Prizes are inaccurate indicators of scientists’ contributions to their disciplines
This is a point of agreement. Winston’s comments indicate some scientists might not get a prize simply because of the size of their teams. Sanjay’s comments indicate some might not get a prize because they died. This means prizes might not go to people who should get one.