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Statement — “No work of Plato is of small literary value.” Question — What can be concluded about the work ‘Critias’ (spelled “Kritiat” in the stem)?

Difficulty: Easy

if only conclusion I follows
if only conclusion II follows
if either I or II follows
if neither I nor II follows, and
None of the above

Correct Answer: if neither I nor II follows, and

Explanation:

Introduction / Context:
The universal statement applies to works by Plato: none is of “small” literary value. We are asked about a specific work, Critias (“Kritiat”).

Given Data / Assumptions:
Universal claim: For any work W, if W is by Plato, then literary value of W is not small.

Concept / Approach:
To reach Conclusion I we would need an extra premise that Critias is of small literary value; to reach Conclusion II we would need that Critias is indeed a work of Plato. Neither is provided.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Conclusion I: “Critias is of small literary value and thus cannot be Plato’s work.” The first clause is unproven; not entailed.Conclusion II: “Critias can be one of the works of Plato.” The stem does not state authorship of Critias; possibility alone is not a necessary conclusion.

Verification / Alternative check:
Both worlds (Critias by Plato with high value; Critias not by Plato) are consistent with the universal statement, which says nothing about titles not identified as Plato’s.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Choosing I assumes a fact about value; choosing II assumes authorship.

Common Pitfalls:
Misusing a universal to infer membership of a particular in the set.

Statement — “No work of Plato is of small literary value.” Question — What can be concluded about the work ‘Critias’ (spelled “Kritiat” in the stem)?

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