LSAT Explanation PT 36, S1, Q10: Cotrell is, at best, able to

LSAT Question Stem

The argument is most vulnerable to criticism on which one of the following grounds? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Flaw question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is C. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

First, let's break down the argument presented in the passage:

Conclusion: Cotrell is, at best, able to write magazine articles of average quality.

Premise/Sub-conclusion: The most compelling pieces of evidence for this are those few of the numerous articles submitted by Cotrell that are superior.

Premise: Cotrell, who is incapable of writing an article that is better than average, must obviously have plagiarized superior ones.

Notice that the conclusion and the premise have identical meanings, which indicates circular reasoning. The plagiarism claim in the middle of the text is just a tool used to separate the conclusion and premise, making it harder to recognize that they are the same.

Now, let's analyze the question type and what it's asking us to do. This is a Flaw question, and we need to identify the flaw in the argument presented in the passage.

Let's discuss each answer choice in detail:

a) It simply ignores the existence of potential counterevidence.

- The argument does not ignore potential counterevidence, as it addresses the superior articles submitted by Cotrell and dismisses them as plagiarized. Although the reasoning is flawed, it does not simply ignore the evidence. This answer choice is incorrect.

b) It generalizes from atypical occurrences.

- This answer choice describes an Overgeneralization. The argument dismisses the superior articles (atypical occurrences) rather than generalizing from them. This answer choice is incorrect.

c) It presupposes what it seeks to establish.

- This answer choice correctly identifies the circular reasoning in the argument, as the conclusion and one of the premises have identical meanings. This answer choice is correct.

d) It relies on the judgment of experts in a matter to which their expertise is irrelevant.

- This answer choice describes an Appeal to Authority. However, there is no reference to the judgment of experts in the passage, so this answer choice is incorrect.

e) It infers limits on ability from a few isolated lapses in performance.

- This answer choice is similar to answer choice (b). The argument does attempt to infer limits on Cotrell's ability, but it dismisses the few superior performances rather than inferring limits based on them. This answer choice is incorrect.

In conclusion, the correct answer is (c) because it identifies the circular reasoning present in the argument.