LSAT Explanation PT 43, S3, Q4: Sydonie: Parents differ in their beliefs

LSAT Question Stem

Stephanie's argument is most vulnerable to criticism on the grounds that 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Flaw question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is C. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

Let's first understand the structure of the argument in the passage. Sydonie presents an argument, and Stephanie responds to it. Here is Sydonie's argument:

Premise: Parents differ in their beliefs about the rules to which their children should be subject.

Premise: Any disciplinary structure will contradict some parental approaches to raising children.

Conclusion: Any disciplinary structure in schools is bound to create resentment because it will contradict some parental approaches to raising children.

Stephanie's argument is a response to Sydonie's conclusion. She tries to disprove Sydonie's conclusion by presenting evidence from educational research. However, her argument does not directly address the premises presented by Sydonie.

Now, let's analyze the question. This is a Flaw question, which means we need to identify the flaw in Stephanie's argument.

Evaluate Question: Does Stephanie's argument address the diversity of parents' ideas about what constitutes good discipline?

Now let's go through the answer choices:

a) It focuses on educational research rather than educational practice.

While Stephanie's argument does focus on educational research, this is not the main flaw in her argument. The main flaw is that her argument does not address the diversity of parents' ideas about what constitutes good discipline.

b) It addresses a more general issue than that addressed in Sydonie's argument.

This is not true. Both arguments address the issue of parental attitudes toward discipline at their children's schools.

c) It does not counter Sydonie's suggestion that parents have diverse ideas of what constitutes good discipline.

This is the correct answer choice. Stephanie's argument does not address the diversity of parents' ideas about what constitutes good discipline, which is a key premise in Sydonie's argument. Even if parents want good discipline in schools, their differing ideas about what constitutes good discipline could still lead to resentment.

d) The phrase "high on the list" is not specific enough to give useful information about what parents desire from a school.

The real problem with Stephanie's argument is not the specificity of the phrase "high on the list," but rather that her argument does not address the diversity of parents' ideas about what constitutes good discipline.

e) It fails to discuss educators' attitudes toward discipline in schools.

Stephanie's argument should only be criticized for failing to accomplish its purported purpose, which is to refute Sydonie's conclusion. Since Sydonie's conclusion does not address the attitude of educators toward good discipline, Stephanie's argument need not do so either. This is not a valid criticism of Stephanie's argument.

In conclusion, the correct answer choice is (c) because Stephanie's argument does not counter Sydonie's suggestion that parents have diverse ideas of what constitutes good discipline.