Question

Claims that fracking causes earthquakes are ridiculous. I live near an oil well and have never felt an earthquake. The premise is I live near an oil well and have never felt an earthquake. The conclusion is claims that fracking causes earthquakes are ridiculous. Why is the argument deceptive? Choose the correct answer below.

A. The argument attempts to divert attention away from the real issue by focusing on an unrelated issue.
B. The lack of knowledge about the truth of a proposition is used as evidence against the proposition.
C. The conclusion is drawn from a limited number of cases.

Answer 1

The argument in question is deceptive because it diverts attention from the real issue by focusing on an unrelated personal experience. Scientific studies have shown that fracking can induce seismic activity and cause earthquakes. The conclusion drawn in the argument is misleading because it ignores the broader scientific evidence.

Step-by-step explanation:

The argument in question is deceptive because it diverts attention from the real issue by focusing on an unrelated issue. The student's personal experience of not feeling earthquakes near an oil well is not sufficient evidence to dismiss the claims that fracking causes earthquakes. In reality, scientific studies have shown that fracking can indeed lead to earthquakes, particularly in areas where there is significant fluid injection and disposal activities.According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), fracking can induce seismic activity by creating pressure changes and altering stress conditions in the subsurface. The seismicity associated with fracking is typically low-magnitude, but it can still be felt by local residents and cause damage to infrastructure. Therefore, the conclusion drawn in the argument is misleading because it overlooks the broader scientific evidence that supports a link between fracking and earthquakes.