LSAT Explanation PT 39, S2, Q20: Productivity is average output per worker

LSAT Question Stem

The reasoning in the argument is most vulnerable to criticism on the grounds that the argument 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Flaw question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is B. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

First, let's analyze the argument in the passage. The passage states:

1. Productivity is average output per worker per unit of time. (Premise)

2. High productivity cannot be achieved without adequate training of workers. (Premise)

3. So, high productivity does not depend on having high-tech equipment. (Conclusion)

The argument's structure is based on the conditional relationship between high productivity and adequate training of workers. It concludes that high productivity does not depend on high-tech equipment. However, the argument does not provide any information on the relationship between high-tech equipment and adequate training of workers.

An "Evaluate" question for this argument would be: "Is high-tech equipment necessary for adequate training of workers?"

Now, let's discuss the question type and answer choices. The question type is a Flaw question, which asks us to identify the vulnerability in the argument's reasoning. The correct answer is B.

a) This answer choice is incorrect because it misinterprets the argument. The argument does not confuse a stated requirement for having high-tech equipment with a sufficient condition for having high-tech equipment.

b) This answer choice is correct because it points out that the argument ignores the possibility that high-tech equipment might be necessary for adequate training of workers. If this is the case, then high productivity would, in fact, depend on having high-tech equipment.

c) This answer choice is incorrect because it is irrelevant to the argument's reasoning. The argument is concerned with the conditions for high productivity, not whether increases in productivity are desirable in some circumstances.

d) This answer choice is incorrect because it misrepresents the argument. The argument does not presume that educating workers always results in an increase in their productivity; it only states that high productivity cannot be achieved without adequate training of workers.

e) This answer choice is incorrect because it is not aligned with the argument's scope. The argument states that high productivity does not depend on high-tech equipment, while this answer choice discusses the contribution of high-tech equipment to increases in productivity.

In summary, the correct answer is B, as it identifies the possibility that high-tech equipment might be necessary for adequate training of workers, which the argument overlooks.