Necessary · Easy · Sample — answer revealed
Astrobiologists have established as a foundational principle that liquid water is necessary for life as currently understood, because every biochemical process essential to metabolism requires an aqueous medium. The Kepler Space Telescope has confirmed that Planet Kepler-22b has liquid water present on its surface based on spectroscopic and thermal data. NASA researchers therefore conclude that Planet Kepler-22b harbors life.
The NASA researchers' conclusion is flawed because the argument
- relies on circular reasoning — the definition of life already presupposes the presence of water
- commits valid reverse-negation application of the rule incorrectly by deriving a negative conclusion from a negative premise
- treats one sufficient condition as the only route to the outcome by inferring the absence of life from the absence of water in a related case
- treats a necessary condition for life as though it were a sufficient condition, inferring the presence of life from the presence of what life merely requires — Correct answer
- makes an unsupported empirical assumption about the generalizability of Earth-based biochemistry
Explanation
Life → Water (water is necessary for life). The planet has Water. The argument infers Life — treating the necessary condition as sufficient. Water is required for life, but does not guarantee it.





