LSAT Explanation PT 19, S2, Q14: Herbalist: Many of my customers find

LSAT Question Stem

The reasoning in the herbalist's argument is flawed because the argument 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Flaw question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is C. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

First, let's analyze the argument in the passage. The herbalist is making a claim that their herb juice improves physical coordination, based on customer feedback. This is a premise. The herbalist also mentions that a few doctors argue the herbs are potentially harmful, but dismisses their concerns by claiming that doctors are always trying to maintain a monopoly over medical therapies. This is another premise. The conclusion of the argument is that there is no reason not to try the herb juice.

The structure of the argument is as follows:

Premise 1: Customers report improved physical coordination after drinking the herb juice.

Premise 2: Doctors claim the herbs are potentially harmful, but they are biased due to their desire to maintain a monopoly over medical therapies.

Conclusion: There is no reason not to try the herb juice.

An "Evaluate" question for this argument could be: "Are there any scientific studies or unbiased evidence supporting the safety and effectiveness of the herbs in the juice?"

Now, let's discuss the question type and answer choices. The question type is Flaw, which asks us to identify the flaw in the reasoning of the argument.

a) The argument does not force acceptance by inducing fear of the consequences of rejecting the claim. The herbalist simply dismisses the doctors' concerns and does not create fear. This answer choice is incorrect.

b) The argument does not base its conclusion on inconsistent claims. While the herbalist's claim and the doctors' claim seem to be in opposition, they are not necessarily inconsistent. Something can be potentially harmful and still have positive effects. This answer choice is incorrect.

c) The argument does reject the doctors' claim by attacking them instead of addressing the claim itself. This is an ad hominem or source argument, which is a flawed reasoning technique. The herbalist does not provide any evidence to refute the doctors' assertion that the herbs are harmful. This answer choice is correct.

d) While the herbalist does seem to presuppose the truth of their assertion that there is no reason not to try the herb juice, the main issue is that the herbalist attacks the doctors instead of addressing their concerns. This answer choice is not the best description of the flaw in the argument and is incorrect.

e) The herbalist does not mistake the observation that one thing happens after another for proof that the second thing is the result of the first. The herbalist uses customer feedback as support for their contention but does not claim that the juice improves coordination solely because of the correlation. This answer choice is incorrect.

In conclusion, the correct answer choice is (c), as the herbalist's argument is flawed because it rejects the doctors' claim by attacking them rather than addressing the claim itself.