Notes: Statement and Conclusion | Logical Reasoning for UGC NET PDF Download

Meaning: Statement and Conclusion 

Statement

A statement is a group of words arranged to form a meaningful sentence. It conveys information, expresses an opinion, or declares a fact.

Conclusion

A conclusion is a judgment or decision reached after consideration of the given statement. It is an opinion or decision that is formed after a period of thought or research on some facts or a sentence stated by someone.

Key Points to Consider

1. Nature of Statements and Conclusions:

   • Statement: A clear and specific assertion or claim that forms the basis for reasoning or discussion.
   • Conclusion: A logical deduction or inference derived from the statement after careful consideration and analysis.

2. Formation of Conclusions:

   • Conclusions are formed based on the information provided in the statement.
   • They involve critical thinking and an understanding of the direct and indirect implications of the statement.
   • Conclusions must logically follow from the statement, taking into account the context and any underlying assumptions.

3. Evaluating Conclusions:

   • Direct Implications: These are the obvious and explicit outcomes that can be clearly drawn from the statement.
   • Indirect Implications: These involve a deeper analysis, where conclusions are drawn based on implied or inferred information.
   • Logical Consistency: The conclusion must be logically consistent with the statement. It should not introduce new, unrelated information.

4. The Role of Motives:

   • If an action is being undertaken and if such an action is always taken with a particular type of motive, then it is logical to assume that such a motive must exist in the given context.
   • Understanding the usual motives behind actions helps in forming more accurate conclusions.

5. Impact of Specific Words:

   • Words like "only" can make a conclusion weak as they introduce exclusivity that may not be supported by the statement.
   • Strong conclusions generally avoid absolute terms unless explicitly supported by the statement.

6. Analyzing Statements:

   • Candidates are required to analyze the given statements to understand their direct and indirect implications.
   • This involves identifying key points, assumptions, and the context of the statement.
   • After this analysis, candidates should decide which of the given conclusions logically follows from the statement.

Additional Points to Consider:

1. Contextual Understanding:

   • The context in which a statement is made is crucial. The same statement can lead to different conclusions depending on the context.
   • Background information and the setting of the statement provide necessary insights for accurate conclusions.

2. Critical Thinking:

   • Engaging in critical thinking means questioning the statement, examining assumptions, and exploring alternative interpretations.
   • This helps in distinguishing between valid and invalid conclusions.

3. Common Pitfalls:

   • Assuming Too Much: Conclusions should be based on the information given in the statement, not on additional assumptions.
   • Overlooking Implications: Both direct and indirect implications should be considered to avoid incomplete conclusions.
   • Ambiguous Language: Beware of ambiguous or vague language in the statement that can lead to misinterpretation.
     

Examples

Conclusions:
 I. Fuel prices were very high previously.
II. The government is responding to public demand.

Ans: (B) If only Conclusion II follows.
Sol: The statement does not provide information about previous fuel prices, but it implies that the government is responding to some factor, likely public demand.

Conclusions:
 I. Renewable energy is becoming more popular.
II. Non-renewable energy sources are depleting rapidly.

Ans: (A) If only Conclusion I follows.
Sol: The statement directly suggests the popularity of renewable energy, but it does not necessarily imply rapid depletion of non-renewable sources.

Conclusions:
I. The park has good facilities.
II. The park is located in a convenient area.

Ans: (E) If both Conclusion I and II follow.
Sol: Both conclusions can be inferred as reasons for the park attracting many visitors.

Conclusions:
I. The company's products are in high demand.
II. The company has reduced its operating costs.

Ans: (A) If only Conclusion I follows.
Sol: The increase in profits suggests high demand for products, but it does not provide information about operating costs.

Conclusions:
 I. The new curriculum is better than the old one.
II. The school is trying to improve the quality of education.

Ans: (B) If only Conclusion II follows.
Sol: The statement suggests an effort to improve education quality, but it does not compare the new curriculum to the old one.

Conclusions:
I. The vaccination rate in the area was low.
II. The health department is concerned about public health.

Ans: (E) If both Conclusion I and II follow.
Sol: Both conclusions can be inferred as reasons for launching the new vaccination drive.

Conclusions:
 I. The city has improved its tourist facilities.
II. The city has launched effective promotional campaigns.

Ans: (E) If both Conclusion I and II follow.
Sol: Both conclusions are plausible reasons for the increase in tourism.

Conclusions:
 I. Public education was underfunded previously.
II. The government is prioritizing education.

Ans: (E) If both Conclusion I and II follow.
Sol: Both conclusions can be inferred from the statement about increased funding.

Conclusions:
 I. The new product is of high quality.
II. The company will increase production of the new product.

Ans: (A) If only Conclusion I follows.
Sol: The excellent reviews suggest high quality, but they do not necessarily imply increased production.

Conclusions: 
I. The library is trying to accommodate more visitors.
II. The library has seen an increase in the number of visitors.

Ans: (A) If only Conclusion I follows.
Sol: Extending hours suggests an effort to accommodate more visitors, but it does not provide information about an increase in visitors.