LSAT Explanation PT 27, S4, Q13: Historian: The ancient Greeks failed to

LSAT Question Stem

The pattern of flawed reasoning in the argument above is most similar to that in which one of the following? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Parallel Flaw question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is D. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

First, let's analyze the argument in the passage. The historian claims that democracy is not morally superior to monarchy. The reasoning is that it's wrong for an individual to have the power to choose the course of action for a government, so it's also wrong to grant this power to society, which is just a collection of individuals. The flaw in this argument is an error in composition, which means the historian assumes that what is true for individuals must also be true for the group as a whole.

Now, let's consider the question type, which is a Parallel Flaw question. We need to identify the answer choice that exhibits the same flawed reasoning as the passage.

Answer choice D is the correct answer because it also commits the error of composition. The argument in D states that because no individual member of a club can afford one of those tents, the club as a whole cannot afford any either. This assumes that what is true for individual club members must also be true for the club as a whole.

Let's examine the other answer choices:

a) This answer choice does not commit the error of composition. Instead, it assumes that if Robin cannot solve the problem, none of Robin's friends would be able to solve it. This flaw does not involve applying a characteristic from an individual to a group.

b) This answer choice does not discuss the relationship between individuals and groups. It simply states that Hank should not be picked for the relay team because he has not won a race all season.

c) This answer choice does not involve applying a characteristic from an individual to a group. It states that if it is wrong for a given person to commit an act, then it is wrong for anyone else in similar circumstances to commit the act. This is about extending a rule from one individual to other individuals, not from an individual to a group.

e) This answer choice discusses individuals and groups but does not commit the error of composition. It states that agreeing with all other members of society does not guarantee that one is correct about an issue. The flow of information is reversed: it claims that what is true for the group must be true for each individual. Additionally, the conclusion in this answer choice is not as certain as the passage, which weakens its parallelism.

In summary, answer choice D is the correct answer because it exhibits the same error of composition found in the passage. The other answer choices either do not involve applying a characteristic from an individual to a group or do not have the same level of certainty in their conclusions as the passage.