LSAT Explanation PT 39, S2, Q18: All historians are able to spot
LSAT Question Stem
The flawed reasoning in which one of the following arguments most closely resembles that in the argument above?
Logical Reasoning Question Type
This is a Parallel Flaw question.
Correct Answer
The correct answer to this question is A.
LSAT Question Complete Explanation
Let's first analyze the argument in the passage. The structure of the argument can be diagrammed as follows:
Premise 1: Historian ‚Üí Spot trends
Premise 2: Spot trends ‚Üí Can distinguish significant from insignificant
Conclusion: Can distinguish significant from insignificant ‚Üí Historian (Mistaken Reversal)
The argument commits a logical error called Mistaken Reversal, which means that it incorrectly reverses the order of the premises in the conclusion. To make this more understandable, imagine you know that all dogs are mammals (Premise 1), and all mammals have a backbone (Premise 2). The argument's flawed reasoning would be like concluding that all creatures with a backbone are dogs, which is incorrect.
Now let's create an "Evaluate" question for this argument: "Is it true that only historians can distinguish the significant from the insignificant?"
The question type for this problem is Parallel Flaw, which means we need to find an answer choice that contains the same logical flaw as the argument in the passage.
Answer choice (A): This is the correct answer choice, as it also commits a Mistaken Reversal:
Premise 1: Figure of speech ‚Üí Emotional Impact ‚Üí Used by poets
Conclusion: Used by poets ‚Üí Figure of speech (Mistaken Reversal)
Answer choice (B): This answer does not contain a Mistaken Reversal, so it does not parallel the flaw in the passage's argument.
Answer choice (C): The premise relationship in this answer is different from the one in the passage, so it does not parallel the flaw in the passage's argument.
Answer choice (D): This answer choice actually presents valid reasoning, and the premise relationship does not match the passage, so it does not parallel the flaw in the passage's argument.
Answer choice (E): This answer choice introduces a new term/idea in the conclusion and does not parallel the Mistaken Reversal presented in the passage's argument.
In conclusion, the correct answer choice is (A), as it contains the same logical flaw (Mistaken Reversal) as the argument in the passage.