LSAT Explanation PT 43, S3, Q20: Interviewer: A certain company released a

LSAT Question Stem

The industry spokesperson's argument is most vulnerable to criticism on the grounds that it 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Flaw question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is E. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

The question type for this problem is a Flaw question, which asks us to identify a vulnerability in the argument presented by the industry spokesperson.

Let's first analyze and summarize the argument in the passage. The interviewer asks how a flawed microprocessor was released, and the industry spokesperson explains that it's impossible to manually check every circuit before releasing a computer. The interviewer then asks how to prevent similar flaws in the future, and the spokesperson says there's no chance of future design flaws because microprocessors are now entirely computer-designed.

In this argument, the premise is that microprocessors are now entirely computer-designed, and the conclusion is that there's no chance of future design flaws. The flaw in the argument lies in the assumption that computer-designed microprocessors are guaranteed to be error-free.

Now, let's create an "Evaluate" question about the argument: "Can computer-designed microprocessors still have design flaws?"

Now, let's analyze each answer choice:

a) This answer choice claims that the spokesperson presumes the company's quality-control procedures are not representative of the industry. However, the spokesperson doesn't make any distinction between the company and the rest of the industry, so this is not a valid criticism.

b) While it's true that microprocessors can have flaws other than design flaws, the interviewer's question specifically asks about preventing "similar" flaws, meaning design flaws. Therefore, the spokesperson's argument doesn't need to address other types of flaws, so this answer choice is incorrect.

c) The spokesperson's argument is focused on microprocessor flaws, so it doesn't need to address other possible computer malfunctions. This answer choice is not a valid criticism of the argument.

d) The spokesperson doesn't treat a single instance of a microprocessor design flaw as evidence that there will be many such flaws. Instead, they provide a reason for the flaw (impossibility to manually check every circuit) and offer evidence that future flaws are unlikely. This answer choice is incorrect.

e) This is the correct answer choice. The spokesperson's argument is flawed because it takes for granted that computer-designed microprocessors will not have errors, despite evidence that some computers are liable to error. The spokesperson assumes that computer-designed microprocessors are guaranteed to be flawless, which is not a valid assumption.

In summary, the industry spokesperson's argument is flawed because it assumes that computer-designed microprocessors are guaranteed to be error-free, despite evidence that computers can make errors. The correct answer choice is (e), which identifies this flaw in the argument.