LSAT Explanation PT 41, S1, Q20: The people most likely to watch

LSAT Question Stem

The reasoning in the argument is most vulnerable to criticism because the argument fails to consider the possibility that 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Flaw question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is B. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

Let's first analyze the argument in the passage. The argument has the following structure:

Premise 1: The people most likely to watch a televised debate are the most committed members of the electorate and thus the most likely to have already made up their minds about whom to support.

Premise 2: Following a debate, uncommitted viewers are generally undecided about who won the debate.

Conclusion: Winning a televised debate does little to bolster one's chances of winning an election.

An "Evaluate" question for this argument could be: "How does winning a televised debate influence the voting behavior of people who do not watch the debate?"

Now, let's discuss the question type and the answer choices. The question type is a Flaw question, which asks us to identify a vulnerability in the argument. We are looking for an answer choice that points out a potential flaw in the argument's reasoning.

a) This answer choice is not the best because it does not directly address the impact of winning a debate on the chances of winning an election. Even if watching an exciting debate makes people more likely to vote, it does not necessarily mean that winning the debate will bolster one's chances of winning the election.

b) This is the correct answer. The argument fails to consider the possibility that the voting behavior of people who do not watch a televised debate is influenced by reports about the debate. If these people are swayed by reports of a debate, then winning the debate could have a significant impact on their voting behavior, thus affecting the chances of winning an election.

c) This answer choice is not relevant to the argument's conclusion about the impact of winning a debate on the chances of winning an election. The argument focuses on the effects of winning a debate, not on what constitutes winning or losing a debate.

d) This answer choice does not necessarily weaken the argument. While people's voting behavior may be influenced in unpredictable ways by comments made by the participants in a televised debate, this does not directly address the impact of winning a debate on the chances of winning an election. Moreover, the unpredictability of the influence might actually support the conclusion that winning a debate has little effect on one's chances of winning an election.

e) This answer choice is irrelevant to the argument's conclusion about the benefits of winning a debate. The argument is about the benefits of winning a debate, not about the drawbacks associated with losing a debate.

In conclusion, the correct answer is B because it highlights a potential flaw in the argument's reasoning by pointing out the possibility that the voting behavior of people who do not watch a televised debate is influenced by reports about the debate, which the argument fails to consider.