LSAT Explanation PT 26, S2, Q12: The higher the average fat intake

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following, if true, most weakens the argument? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Weaken question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is D. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

In this LSAT problem, we are dealing with a Weaken question type. Our task is to find the answer choice that most weakens the argument presented in the passage.

First, let's summarize and analyze the argument in the passage. The passage states the following:

1. The higher the average fat intake among the residents of a country, the higher the incidence of cancer in that country (Premise)

2. The lower the average fat intake, the lower the incidence of cancer (Premise)

3. So, individuals who want to reduce their risk of cancer should reduce their fat intake (Conclusion)

The argument assumes a causal relationship between fat intake and the risk of cancer based on the correlation observed in the premises. However, correlation does not necessarily imply causation. There could be other factors that contribute to cancer risk, which the argument has not considered.

An "Evaluate" question for this argument could be: "Is there any other factor that could be causing the higher incidence of cancer in countries with high average fat intake?"

Now, let's discuss each answer choice:

a) The differences in average fat intake between countries are often due to the varying makeup of traditional diets.

- This answer choice does not weaken the argument because it merely explains why there are differences in average fat intake between countries. It does not address the relationship between fat intake and cancer risk.

b) The countries with a high average fat intake tend to be among the wealthiest in the world.

- This answer choice does not weaken the argument because it introduces the factor of wealth but fails to establish a connection between wealth and cancer risk.

c) Cancer is a prominent cause of death in countries with a low average fat intake.

- This answer choice does not weaken the argument because it does not contradict the conclusion that reducing fat intake can lower the risk of cancer. It only states that cancer is a prominent cause of death in countries with low fat intake but does not provide information on the relationship between fat intake and cancer risk in these countries.

d) The countries with high average fat intake are also the countries with the highest levels of environmental pollution.

- This is the correct answer. It weakens the argument by introducing a potential alternative cause of cancer (environmental pollution) in countries with high average fat intake. This suggests that the observed correlation between fat intake and cancer risk may not be causal, and reducing fat intake might not necessarily reduce the risk of cancer.

e) An individual resident of a country whose population has a high average fat intake may have a diet with a low fat intake.

- This answer choice does not weaken the argument because it focuses on individual variations within a country and does not address the relationship between fat intake and cancer risk. It also does not provide any information about the risk of cancer for individuals with low fat intake in countries with high average fat intake.

In conclusion, answer choice D weakens the argument by introducing an alternative explanation for the observed correlation between fat intake and cancer risk, suggesting that the relationship may not be causal.