Critical Reasoning — Assumptions Statement: “Money is the root cause of all the problems in a family.” Assumptions to evaluate: I. Every problem has some cause. II. There are always some problems in a family.

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: Only assumption I is implicit

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
The statement attributes causality—indeed, root causality—to money for family problems. To make such a claim coherent, we must accept that problems have causes. Whether every family always has problems is not necessary for the content of the claim.



Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Claim: For family problems (whenever they exist), money is the fundamental cause.
  • Assumption I: Problems (as a class) have causes; causal explanation is meaningful.
  • Assumption II: Every family always faces some problems.


Concept / Approach:

  • A root-cause statement presupposes that a causal structure exists (Assumption I).
  • It does not require that problems are omnipresent; it speaks to causation where problems occur.


Step-by-Step Solution:

Assumption I is indispensable: without causation, calling money the root cause would be nonsensical.Assumption II is unnecessary: the claim can stand even if some families have no problems at some times. It only addresses the problems that do occur.


Verification / Alternative check:

Eliminate I: The claim collapses. Eliminate II: The claim remains meaningful for cases where problems exist.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

II, Either, Neither, Both either add an unneeded universality or ignore the causal prerequisite.


Common Pitfalls:

Reading “all problems” as “there are always problems,” which is a different assertion.


Final Answer:

Only assumption I is implicit

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