Librarian: "Basing restrictions on loaning books to library patrons on the books' content is absurd. The library is a place of learning and free access to information. If we place restrictions on that access, no matter how well intentioned, the result is to stifle education."
Concerned parent: "But many parents agree that reading books containing vulgarities is offensive and we do not want our children exposed to such language."
The concerned parent's rebuttal is flawed because it:
A)Attacks the librarian's character and not her argument.
B)Uses hyperbolic and inflammatory language in order to distract from the issue at hand.
C)Makes a generalization from one anecdotal situation.
D)Uses reasoning that does not respond to the librarian's main point.
E)Uses an ad hominem attack instead of responding to the argument.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The concerned parent's rebuttal is flawed because it does not respond to the librarian's main point. The librarian is asserting that placing restrictions on who can check out a book at a library restricts access to information and stifles education. The fact that many do not want their children exposed to vulgar language does not refute this point, and so D is the correct answer.

Librarian: "Basing Restrictions on Loaning Books to Library Patrons on the Books