PrepTest 135, Section 2, Question 17
Philosopher: Graham argues that since a person is(45 more words not shown)
Which one of the following(30 more words not shown)
- AIt is a(4 more words not shown)
- BIt is an(12 more words not shown)
- CIt is an(10 more words not shown)
- DIt is an(9 more words not shown)
- EIt is the(6 more words not shown)
Reading the argument
Is the happiest life necessarily the best life? Maybe someone thinks a life of purpose matters more than happiness. That's one question we could put to Graham's argument, but it isn't the philosopher's response.
The philosopher attacks Graham's starting claim: people are truly happy only while doing something. A happy sleeper would be a counterexample. On the philosopher's account, that person is happy while doing nothing, so activity isn't required for every instance of happiness.
What we’re looking for
Now locate the claim we're being asked about. The sleeping example supports the philosopher's conclusion that we should not be persuaded by Graham's argument. It works by challenging Graham's premise, rather than directly establishing what the best life is. Keep both the speaker and the level of the argument straight.
Working the answers
- A
It's a premise in the philosopher's response, not a premise offered by Graham. In fact, the example conflicts with Graham's claim that happiness requires activity. The identity of the person using the statement matters.
- BCorrect
Graham says a person can be truly happy only when doing something. The philosopher offers happy people who are sleeping and doing nothing. If that example is accepted, it shows that Graham's requirement is false. That's why the philosopher presents it as a reason not to accept Graham's argument.
- C
Graham doesn't offer the sleeping example; the philosopher does. It also isn't an analogy between two different situations. It's an alleged case of happiness without activity, aimed directly at the general claim that such a case cannot occur.
- D
Challenging a premise doesn't by itself disprove the conclusion. A life full of activity might still be best for some other reason. The sleeping example targets Graham's stated reason for that conclusion: the claim that happiness requires doing something.
- E
The philosopher's main conclusion is that Graham's argument should not persuade us. The sleeping claim supplies the reason for that judgment. It's the supporting counterexample, not the overall point.
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