LSAT Explanation PT 26, S2, Q17: Commissioner: I have been incorrectly criticized

LSAT Question Stem

The commissioner's argument is LEAST vulnerable to which one of the following criticisms? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Flaw question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is B. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

In this LSAT problem, we have a Flaw question type. The passage presents an argument by the Commissioner, who claims that he has been incorrectly criticized for making a premature decision on the power plant issue. The argument's structure is as follows:

Premise 1: The Commissioner based his decision on the report prepared by the neighborhood association.

Premise 2: The Commissioner has not studied the report thoroughly but is sure that the information it contains is accurate.

Premise 3: The Commissioner agreed with the neighborhood association's past recommendation on jail relocation.

Conclusion: The Commissioner has been incorrectly criticized for making a premature decision on the power plant issue.

The argument is weak because the Commissioner relies on an incomplete examination of the neighborhood association's report and assumes that agreeing with their past recommendation justifies agreeing with their current recommendation on the power plant issue.

An "Evaluate" question for this argument could be: "Is the neighborhood association's report a comprehensive and unbiased source of information for making a decision on the power plant issue?"

Now, let's analyze the answer choices:

a) It takes for granted that the association's information is not distorted by bias.

This answer choice points out a flaw in the argument. The Commissioner assumes that the neighborhood association's report is accurate without considering the possibility of bias. This flaw weakens the argument, so this answer choice is incorrect.

b) It draws a conclusion about the recommendations of the association from incomplete recollections.

This answer choice does not describe a flaw in the argument. The Commissioner does not base his conclusion on incomplete recollections. Instead, he bases his conclusion on an incomplete reading of the report. Therefore, the argument is least vulnerable to this criticism, making this answer choice the correct one.

c) It takes for granted that the association's report is the only direct evidence that needed to be considered.

This answer choice points out another flaw in the argument. The Commissioner assumes that the neighborhood association's report is the only evidence needed for making a decision on the power plant issue. This assumption weakens the argument, so this answer choice is incorrect.

d) It hastily concludes that the association's report is accurate, without having studied it in detail.

This answer choice directly addresses a flaw in the argument. The Commissioner admits to not studying the report thoroughly but still believes the information is accurate. This hasty conclusion weakens the argument, so this answer choice is incorrect.

e) It takes for granted that agreeing with the association's past recommendation helps to justify agreeing with its current recommendation.

This answer choice points out another flaw in the argument. The Commissioner assumes that because he agreed with the neighborhood association's past recommendation, it justifies agreeing with their current recommendation on the power plant issue. This assumption weakens the argument, so this answer choice is incorrect.

In conclusion, the correct answer is B, as it describes a criticism that the Commissioner's argument is least vulnerable to. The other answer choices describe flaws in the argument, making them incorrect.