LSAT Explanation PT 37, S4, Q4: An overwhelming number of industry's chief

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following exhibits flawed reasoning most nearly parallel to that exhibited in the argument above? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Parallel Flaw question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is E. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

The argument in the passage presents a flawed reasoning known as a Mistaken Reversal. The structure of the argument can be represented as follows:

- Premise: Most CEOs who earn over $250,000 annually attended prestigious business schools.

- Conclusion: Greta Harris, who attended a prestigious business school, must be a CEO who earns over $250,000 annually.

The question type for this problem is Parallel Flaw, which means we need to find an answer choice that exhibits flawed reasoning similar to the argument in the passage.

An accessible example of this type of reasoning might be: Most professional basketball players are tall. John is tall. Therefore, John must be a professional basketball player.

An "Evaluate" question for this argument could be: "Is Greta Harris a CEO?"

Now, let's analyze each answer choice:

a) This answer choice introduces health problems, a new term not present in the original argument, so it does not exhibit the same flawed reasoning.

b) This answer choice contains a comparison (more famous) in the conclusion, which is different from the structure of the original argument.

c) This answer choice introduces the idea of Italians liking opera, which is a new idea and not a Mistaken Reversal like the original argument.

d) This answer choice presents a causal relationship (nail causes luck), which is not the same flawed reasoning as the original argument.

e) This answer choice correctly exhibits the same flawed reasoning as the original argument. Diagrammatically:

- Successful Opera -> Study Lang

- Eileen: Study Lang -> Successful Opera

Therefore, the correct answer choice is (E).