critical reasoning...contd

hi friends......yet another post on critical reasoning...

we'll continue from where we left....

By now you all must be quite familiar with the terms like...Argument ? Premise ? Conclusion ?

Understanding and finding ASSUMPTION is something you must be really very good at..and if you are able to figure out the assumtion the hidden fact -in that case you have a good eye to understand the argument and thereby understanding the CR question.

But before we go on exploring and locating Assumption ...you need to do one more thing...

Whenever you come across a CR question enlist all the things given to you in an Argument- i.e locate premise , conclusion ...etc. As this would help you understand a question in a better way.

for eg. take this question- Forbear to judge ,for we are all sinners(a quote from shakespears play)

We are given a Premise:We are all sinners.
Conclusion: Forbear to judge.

So, make it a habit to locate all the elements given in an Argument.

Now we move on to exploring assumption :
for eg. Q. a >b & a>c and so, b=c.
So, enlisting what all things are given to you: P1- a>b and P2- a>c and a conclusion is b=c

Now, how to find the assumption; Ask a Q that whether the given facts are sufficient to reach to the conclusion , if the ans comes out to be Yes in that case no assumption exists ;and if the ans is No then there exists an assumption... so asking the same Q in the above question - what is the ans Yes/ No. If the ans is No then in that case you are right there exists an assumption and the assumption is A: a-b=a-c ; i.e. a is greater than b by the same value as a is greater than c. So, providing this hidden fact we are able to understand and form a logical link that'll lead to conclusion with a much better understanding.

Try another Q. The question is - Liquid Ammonia is lighter than water. So, liquid Ammonia will float on water.

Yes the first step is to enlist what all things are given to you-
P-Liquid Ammonia is lighter than water.&C- Liquid Ammonia will float on water.

Note:- At time you are given conclusion indicators in the form of words like- so, thus, hence,as a result etc. these words will help me to locate a conclusion (if given) easily.Likewise we have premise indicators like - and(connecting 2 premises), whereas , but(showing contrast) etc.

So, now comes the second thing that is to ask a question -that whether the given premise(s) sufficient to reach to the conclusion if Yes then there is no assumption , if No there exists an assumption.

So... does assumption exists or not.If the ans is Yes to the question above then you are wrong as there exists an assumption...

If your Answer is Yes these facts are sufficient then tell me ...did you use your common sense that anything that is lighter than water will float on water....if so you are breaking the Rule#1 which is- Never use your common sense.

Is it mentioned somewhere that -Anything lighter than water will float on water...No, it's not mentioned...So, we cannot take it for granted.

The Assumption : Anything lighter than water will float on water.

So, by providing this additional fact we 'll be able to understand the argument.

Other way of finding the assumtion is challenge the conclusion that...if in place of liq. ammonia there is some substance X which is lighter than water then is the conclusion valid for the substance X as well.

If you had some clarity on the issue...then try this Question

Q. India's time Zone is 5-1/2 hrs ahead of G.M.T.(Greenvich Mean Time) Hence, India lies East of U.K.

So, does the assumption exist????? to be contd