LSAT Explanation PT 29, S1, Q2: Politician: The funding for the new

LSAT Question Stem

The smoker's response to the politician's argument 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Method of Reasoning question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is A. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

Let's first analyze the argument in the passage. The politician presents a premise that cigarette smoking causes many serious health problems and concludes that funding for the new nationwide health-awareness campaign should come from an increase in taxes on cigarettes. The smoker responds by presenting another premise that regularly eating high-fat, high-cholesterol foods causes as many serious health problems as smoking, and argues that it would be unreasonable to force those who purchase such foods to bear the burden of financing the campaign.

The question type here is Method of Reasoning (MOR), and we are asked to identify the smoker's response to the politician's argument.

Now, let's discuss each answer choice:

a) offers a counterexample that calls into question the politician's reasoning

This is the correct answer. The smoker uses the example of high-fat, high-cholesterol foods to show that there is an inconsistency in the politician's reasoning. If the logic behind taxing cigarettes to fund the health-awareness campaign is based on the health problems they cause, then the same logic should apply to high-fat, high-cholesterol foods, which also cause serious health problems.

b) presents an alternative solution to that proposed by the politician

This answer choice is incorrect because the smoker does not present an alternative solution to the politician's proposal. Instead, the smoker questions the reasoning behind the proposal.

c) argues that the method proposed by the politician would be inadequate for its intended purpose

This answer choice is incorrect because the smoker does not argue that the politician's proposal would be inadequate. Rather, the smoker argues that the proposal is unreasonable based on the comparison to high-fat, high-cholesterol foods.

d) questions the accuracy of the information cited by the politician in reaching a conclusion

This answer choice is incorrect because the smoker does not question the accuracy of the information presented by the politician. The smoker accepts that smoking causes serious health problems but argues that the same logic should apply to high-fat, high-cholesterol foods.

e) illustrates how the politician's proposal could aggravate the problem it is intended to solve

This answer choice is incorrect because the smoker does not argue that the politician's proposal would aggravate the problem. The smoker focuses on the inconsistency in the politician's reasoning by providing a counterexample.

In conclusion, the correct answer is A, as the smoker's response offers a counterexample that calls into question the politician's reasoning by highlighting the inconsistency in applying the logic to only one group of people who cause health problems.