Critical Reasoning: Paradox Questions

Using a complex algorithm, a new computer program organizes email messages in a user's inbox, whether that inbox be part of an Internet email service or an email software package, by placing them in an order that is not necessarily chronological, but instead one that follows personal and specific preferences chosen by that user during the installation process. The free program has been painstakingly tested and its operation has proven to be faultless. Still, early users of the program, although giving it a fair chance by using it according to the recommended trial conditions, found the program to be impractical for their personal needs.

Which of the following, if true, would most contribute to an explanation of the facts above?

Incorrect.

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This answer choice describes how programmers see programs. The argument's paradox, however, lies in how users relate to the program in question, making this statement irrelevant.

Incorrect.

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This answer choice discusses the need to make software flexible and adaptive; however, since the program discussed in the argument is already based on personal and specific preferences, this cannot explain its failure.

Incorrect.

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Because this answer choice deals with money, and the cost of software, it is irrelevant. We are told in the second premise that the program is free.

Incorrect.

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This answer choice emphasizes the paradox. It does so by describing the method by which the program was tested. This leads us to believe that the program is very likely perfect in every way. However, if it is perfect, why didn't the first users find it practical?

Good work!

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This answer choice states that for some programs to only offer adjustments by users at the beginning (when the program is installed) is a disadvantage. In the argument, we are told that users can only choose their personal and specific preferences during installation. Since people tend to change their personal preferences quite often, this seems like a major flaw in the program - one that could have lead to the user's dissatisfaction.

Even though the code of no two computer programs is developed in exactly the same way, most follow a general format that enables a programmer unfamiliar with a project to comprehend the functionality of a certain software item.

Software development companies spend time, energy, and money making their products as user-friendly as possible, but many fail by not introducing some form of personal flexibility to their programs.

Although in today's world most people have the ability to adapt to ever-changing software tools, it seems that there will always be an economic barrier reserving the use of advanced technology for those who can afford it.

The program's operation was first tested and debugged by the developers who, once satisfied, then sent it to be analyzed by an external quality control company that specializes in software development and evaluation.

Depending on the specific functionality of an individual program, having certain parameters that can only be adjusted or configured when the program is installed can have a negative influence on its overall performance.