Question 30

People know that landfills are a disgusting, if necessary, evil because a popular opinion makes it correct.

The reasoning in the sentence is flawed as it suggests that the negative perception of landfills is validated merely by their status as a widely held belief. This implies that popular opinion can determine truth, which is not a sound basis for reasoning.

A) it has not been proven false.

This option is incorrect because the argument does not rely on the absence of disproving evidence. Rather, it hinges on the acceptance of common beliefs without critical examination. The reasoning is not about proof but about how opinions are formed.

B) experts say it is.

This option is also incorrect. The statement does not reference expert opinion as a justification for the belief that landfills are negative. Instead, it highlights the general public's perception and popular opinion rather than expert validation.

C) a popular opinion makes it correct.

This option is correct because the reasoning in the sentence suggests that the negative view of landfills is accepted simply because it is a common belief. This exemplifies a logical fallacy where truth is equated with popularity, demonstrating unsound reasoning.

D) it has always been that way.

This option is incorrect as it implies that tradition or historical precedent is the basis for the belief in landfills being a necessary evil. The original sentence does not suggest that the view is based on historical continuity, making this reasoning unsound.

Conclusion

Option C accurately captures the essence of the flawed reasoning in the statement, as it emphasizes that popular belief alone is used to justify the negative perception of landfills. The other options fail to address the core logical fallacy that equates popularity with truth, highlighting why they do not hold up under scrutiny.