LSAT Explanation PT 29, S4, Q21: All too many weaklings are also

LSAT Question Stem

The flawed pattern of 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 C. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

First, let's analyze the argument in the passage. The passage is structured as follows:

1. Premise: All too many weaklings are also cowards (Some weaklings are cowards).

2. Premise: Few cowards fail to be fools (Most cowards are fools).

3. Conclusion: There must be at least one person who is both a weakling and a fool.

The argument is flawed because it assumes that because some weaklings are cowards, and most cowards are fools, there must be an overlap between weaklings and fools. However, this is not necessarily true, as there could be no overlap between the two groups.

An "Evaluate" question for this argument would be: "Is there any overlap between the group of weaklings who are cowards and the group of cowards who are fools?"

Now, let's discuss the question type and the answer choices. This is a Parallel Flaw (PF) question, which asks us to identify the answer choice with a flawed pattern of reasoning most similar to that in the passage.

a) This answer choice presents a valid argument, not a flawed one. It states that all weasels are carnivores and no carnivores fail to be nonherbivores, so it logically follows that some weasels are nonherbivores.

b) This answer choice is not parallel to the passage's argument because it does not provide two facts about a group and then conclude an overlap. Instead, it discusses the limitations of moralists and saints, and concludes that few people can both act like saints and speak like moralists. It doesn't assume an overlap between the two groups like the passage does.

c) This answer choice is the correct one because it follows the same flawed pattern of reasoning as the passage. It states that some painters are musicians, and some musicians are dancers, so it concludes that some painters are dancers. Like the passage, this answer choice assumes an overlap between two groups without sufficient evidence.

d) This answer choice presents a valid argument in the form of a chain, not a flawed one. It states that if an act is virtuous, then it is autonomous, because acts are not virtuous unless they are free, and acts are not free unless they are autonomous.

e) This answer choice presents a valid argument, not a flawed one. It states that a majority of the voting population favors a total ban, and no one who favors a total ban is opposed to stiffer tariffs, so it logically follows that at least one voter is not opposed to stiffer tariffs.

In conclusion, the correct answer is C, as it follows the same flawed pattern of reasoning as the passage.