LSAT Explanation PT 42, S4, Q22: Only a minority of those who

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following uses flawed reasoning most similar to that used 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

First, let's analyze the argument in the passage. The passage states that only a minority of those who engage in political action do so out of a sense of social justice. From this premise, the conclusion is drawn that some people who have a sense of social justice do not engage in political action.

To simplify, imagine a group of 10 people who engage in political action. If only a minority (say, 4 people) do so out of a sense of social justice, it doesn't necessarily mean that there are people with a sense of social justice who don't engage in political action. It's possible that all people with a sense of social justice engage in political action. The argument is flawed because it assumes that there must be people with a sense of social justice who don't engage in political action based on the premise.

An "Evaluate" question for this argument would be: "Is there any evidence that some people with a sense of social justice do not engage in political action?"

Now, let's discuss the answer choices. The question type is a Parallel Flaw (PF) question, which asks us to identify the answer choice that uses flawed reasoning most similar to that used in the argument above.

a) Most scholars are not motivated by a desire to win prestigious academic prizes. Thus, some of those who want to win prestigious academic prizes are not scholars.

This answer choice has a similar structure to the original argument. It states that most scholars are not motivated by prestigious academic prizes, but concludes that some people who want to win prestigious academic prizes are not scholars. Just like in the original argument, this conclusion is flawed because it assumes that there must be people who want to win prestigious academic prizes but are not scholars based on the premise. This is the correct answer.

b) Only foolish politicians disregard the wishes of most voters. Thus, most voters deserve to be represented by foolish politicians.

This answer choice is incorrect because it does not follow the same flawed reasoning as the original argument. The conclusion is about what most voters deserve, which is not parallel to the original argument's conclusion.

c) Some corporations only feign a concern for the environment when they advertise a product as environmentally friendly. Thus, no corporation has a genuine concern for the environment.

This answer choice is incorrect because it concludes with a "no" statement, while the original argument concluded with a "some" statement. The reasoning is not parallel.

d) Some parents show no interest in the curricula used in the schools that their children attend. Thus, some of the decisions regarding school curricula should be made without regard for the wishes of the children's parents.

This answer choice is incorrect because it introduces a new category (decisions) in the conclusion, which is not parallel to the original argument's structure.

e) Only a small percentage of the profits that companies make are directly attributable to good management decisions. Thus, even companies that are managed badly will usually turn a profit.

This answer choice is incorrect because it changes the terms between profits, decisions, and companies, which do not legitimately overlap. The structure is not parallel to the original argument.

In conclusion, the correct answer is A because it follows the same flawed reasoning as the original argument.