LSAT Explanation PT 37, S4, Q22: The druid stones discovered in Ireland

LSAT Question Stem

The argument is flawed because it 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Flaw question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is E. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

First, let's analyze the argument in the passage. The argument has the following structure:

Premise 1: The druid stones discovered in Ireland are very, very old.

Premise 2: This particular druid stone was discovered in Scotland.

Conclusion: This particular druid stone must be of more recent vintage.

The question type is a Flaw question, asking us to identify the flaw in the argument. Before discussing the answer choices, let's come up with an "Evaluate" question for the argument. A good "Evaluate" question here would be, "Is the age of a druid stone solely determined by its location (Ireland or Scotland)?"

Now, let's discuss each answer choice:

a) The argument does not allow a key term to shift in meaning from one use to the next. The terms remain consistent throughout the argument, so this answer choice is incorrect.

b) The argument does not take the fact that most members of a group have a certain property to constitute evidence that all members of the group have that property. The passage does not mention "most" members of a group, so this answer choice is incorrect.

c) The argument does not take for granted the very claim that it sets out to establish. The conclusion is not a restatement of a premise, so this answer choice is incorrect.

d) The argument does not presume without justification that what was true of the members of a group in the past will continue to be true of them in the future. The passage does not mention past or future, so this answer choice is incorrect.

e) The argument takes the fact that all members of a group have a certain property (druid stones in Ireland being very old) to constitute evidence that the members of the group are the only things with that property (implying that druid stones in Scotland must be of more recent vintage). This answer choice correctly identifies the flaw in the argument, so it is the correct answer.

The correct answer is E.