問題詳情

III. Discourse (10%, 2% each)Incomplete reasoning is inevitable for several reasons. First, there is thelimitation imposed by time and space. Arguments are incomplete becausecommunicators do not have forever to organize them, nor do they have unlimitedspace or time in which to present their reasons.Second, most of us have a very limited attention span; we get bored whenmessages are too long. __21__ Advertisements and editorials reflect both thesefactors. For example, editorials are limited to a specific number of words, and theargument must both be interesting and make the author’s point. Editorial writers,therefore, engage in many annoying omissions. Television commentators arenotorious for making highly complicated issues sound as if they are simple. Theyhave very little time to provide the degree of accurate information that you willneed to form a reasonable conclusion. __22__A third reason for the inevitability of missing information is that theknowledge possessed by the person making the argument will always beincomplete. A fourth reason why information may be omitted is because of anoutright attempt to deceive. Advertisers know they are omitting key bits ofinformation. If they were to describe all the chemicals or cheap component partsthat go into their products, you would be less likely to buy them. Experts in everyfield consciously omit information when open disclosure would weaken thepersuasive effect of their advice. __23__A final important reason why omitted information is so prevalent is that thevalues, beliefs, and attitudes of those trying to advise or persuade you arefrequently different from yours. __24__ Critical thinkers value curiosity andreasonableness; those working to persuade you often want to extinguish yourcuriosity and to encourage you to rely on unreasonable emotional responses toshape your choices.A particular perspective is like a pair of blinders on a horse. The blindersimprove the tendency of the horse to focus on what is directly in front of it. Yet, anindividual’s perspective, like blinders on a horse, prevents that person from notingcertain information that would be important to those who reason from a differentframe of reference. __25__ 
(A) Only by asking that omitted information be supplied in each case could youavoid this danger. 
(B)So our minds need to do a lot of extra work to fill in the many gaps in what5they have to say in these situations. 
(C) Such omissions are particularly tempting if those trying to advise you see youas a “sponge.”
(D) Thus, communicators often feel a need to get their message across quickly. 
(E) Unless your perspective is identical to that of the person trying to persuadeyou, important omissions of information are to be expected. (BD) You can expect, therefore, that their reasoning will be guided by differentassumptions from those you would have brought to the same question.
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