Let's first analyze the stimulus carefully. Is this an argument? Yes. What is the conclusion? In order to succeed in today's society, one must have a college degree.
OK. Now, what premise is given in support of this conclusion? Anyone who seems successful with just a high school education is not really successful (their success "is only apparent"), because without a college degree a person does not have enough education to be truly successful.
This is what is known as circular reasoning. The conclusion is just a repeat of the given premise, which is ridiculous. It is the logical equivalent of saying "I am right, because I am right."
Answer choice (A) describes this flaw: the argument is flawed because it assumes what it sets out to conclude. This is one way of saying "circular reasoning."
Hope this helps! Please let us know if you have any additional questions.
Julie-VJuly 30, 2019
Can the premise "without a college degree a person does not have enough education to be truly successful" be diagrammed? I'm not sure if "without" is a S/N indicator
