LSAT Explanation PT 31, S2, Q6: It is proposed to allow the

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following, if true, most undermines the conclusion? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Weaken question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is C. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

The argument in the passage is as follows:

Premise: In a recent study, 84% of people who suspected they had swimmer's ear made a correct diagnosis, which is a slightly better accuracy rate than physicians have in diagnosing swimmer's ear.

Conclusion: Most people can diagnose swimmer's ear in themselves without ever having to consult a physician.

The passage is arguing that because a majority of people in the study were able to correctly diagnose swimmer's ear, most people, in general, can do the same without needing a physician's help. This argument has some logical leaps, like assuming that the people in the study are representative of the general population and that a doctor's visit isn't necessary for accurate diagnosis.

The question type is Weaken, which means we need to find the answer choice that undermines the conclusion of the argument.

Let's go through each answer choice:

a) Cases in which swimmer's ear progresses to more serious infections are very rare.

This answer choice might actually strengthen the argument as it suggests that swimmer's ear is not a serious condition and might not require a doctor's consultation. This does not undermine the conclusion.

b) Most of those who suspected incorrectly that they had swimmer's ear also believed that they had other ailments that in fact they did not have.

This answer choice does not address the people who correctly diagnosed themselves, which is the focus of the argument. It doesn't undermine the conclusion.

c) Most of the people who diagnosed themselves correctly had been treated by a physician for a prior occurrence of swimmer's ear.

This answer choice weakens the conclusion by providing a reason why the people in the study might not be representative of the general population. If most of the people who diagnosed themselves correctly had previous experience with swimmer's ear, they might be more likely to diagnose their condition accurately compared to the average person. This undermines the claim that most people, in general, can diagnose swimmer's ear without a physician's help. This is the correct answer.

d) Physicians who specialize in ear diseases are generally able to provide more accurate diagnoses than those provided by general practitioners.

This answer choice doesn't address the issue of whether most people can diagnose swimmer's ear without a physician's help. It only compares the accuracy of different types of physicians, which is not relevant to the conclusion.

e) For many people who develop swimmer's ear, the condition disappears without medical or pharmaceutical intervention.

Similar to answer choice (a), this answer choice might strengthen the argument by suggesting that swimmer's ear is not a serious condition and might not require a doctor's consultation. This does not undermine the conclusion.

In summary, the correct answer is (c) because it undermines the conclusion by providing a reason why the people in the study might not be representative of the general population.