People who are bald are generally of the intellectual type. Arun is bald. Based on this statement, how should the conclusion "Arun is an intellectual" be evaluated?

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: Probably correct

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This question tests your ability to distinguish between certain conclusions and probable conclusions. The statement uses the word generally, which signals a tendency or frequent pattern rather than a strict rule. You must decide how strongly we can support the conclusion that Arun is an intellectual based on this kind of probabilistic statement.


Given Data / Assumptions:
- General statement: people who are bald are generally of the intellectual type. - Specific fact: Arun is bald. - Proposed conclusion: Arun is an intellectual. - We interpret generally as meaning this happens often, but there can be exceptions.


Concept / Approach:
When a statement uses words like generally, usually, often or in most cases, it describes a statistical tendency, not a universal law. From such a statement, you cannot deduce with certainty that every individual in the described group has the property. However, it is reasonable to say that a member of that group is likely to have the property. Therefore, the correct strength of conclusion is probable, not definite. The reasoning here is similar to real life stereotypes and trends, which may be useful but not always reliable for individual cases.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Understand the general statement. It claims that most bald people belong to the intellectual type, but it does not state that all of them do. Step 2: Note that such wording allows for some bald people who are not intellectual. Step 3: Arun is given as an example of a bald person, so he belongs to the group mentioned in the general statement. Step 4: Because the general statement talks about a common trend, we can say that Arun is quite likely to be an intellectual if the trend holds. Step 5: However, we cannot guarantee this. The existence of exceptions means that certainty would go beyond the information provided. Step 6: Therefore, the conclusion "Arun is an intellectual" cannot be labelled definitely correct or definitely not correct. Step 7: The best description is that the conclusion is probably correct, since it is supported by a general tendency but not forced by a strict rule.


Verification / Alternative check:
Consider another example: "People who read many books are generally good writers. Tom reads many books." It would be reasonable to guess that Tom is probably a good writer, but you could not be sure without more information. He may read without practising writing. In the same way, describing bald people as generally intellectual does not turn baldness into a guarantee of intellectual ability. This parallel example supports treating the conclusion about Arun as probable rather than certain.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Definitely not correct: The general statement supports the conclusion rather than opposing it, so we cannot dismiss it completely. Definitely correct: This would only be justified if the statement had said all bald people are intellectual, which it does not. Cannot be determined: This would ignore the helpful information that there is a strong trend; we can at least decide that the conclusion is more likely than not.


Common Pitfalls:
Many students misread generally as always and jump to a definite conclusion. Others react against stereotypes and assume that no information can be drawn, choosing cannot be determined too quickly. The right approach is balanced: respect the statistical tendency expressed by generally, but also remember that such statements do not create absolute rules. Exam questions often hide this subtlety in everyday language, so practising careful reading of qualifiers is very important.


Final Answer:
The conclusion that Arun is an intellectual is probably correct, but not certain.

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