LSAT Explanation PT 29, S1, Q23: Linda says that, as a scientist,

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following is most parallel in its reasoning to the flawed reasoning above? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Parallel Flaw question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is B. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

In the passage, Linda makes an argument based on her experience as a scientist. She claims that no scientist appreciates poetry, and since most scientists are logical, at least some of the people who appreciate poetry are illogical. Let's break down the argument structure:

Premise 1: No scientist appreciates poetry.

Premise 2: Most scientists are logical.

Conclusion: At least some people who appreciate poetry are illogical.

The flaw in this reasoning is that Linda attributes a particular quality (illogical) to some members of a group (poetry appreciators) about which we know nothing, simply on the basis that most members of a different, non-overlapping group (scientists) have the opposite quality (logical).

Our "Evaluate" question for this argument could be: "Is there any information about the people who appreciate poetry that would allow us to determine their logical or illogical nature?"

Now, let's analyze the answer choices and find the one that best parallels the flawed reasoning in the passage.

a) This answer choice is logically valid. If no marsupials lay eggs and most are native to Australia, there must be some non-egg-laying animals native to Australia.

b) This answer choice has the same flawed reasoning as the passage. No father wants his kids to eat candy at bedtime. Since most fathers are adults, some of the people who do want their kids to eat candy at bedtime must be children (i.e., not adults). But we don't know anything about the people who want their kids to eat candy at bedtime, just as we don't know anything about people who appreciate poetry!

c) This answer choice would be valid if it said that most California wine is inferior to at least the best French wine aged in oak. The flaw is just the omission of the word "most" there.

d) This answer choice is valid. If all color film is less sharp than black-and-white and most instant film is color, there's at least some instant film that's less sharp than black-and-white.

e) This answer choice is tempting but incorrect. It would match the flaw if it said that at least some people who like to pay taxes are dishonest people because the original argument assigns to the group about which we know nothing the opposite trait from the group about which we do know something.

So, the correct answer is B, as it best parallels the flawed reasoning in the passage.