LSAT Explanation PT 44, S4, Q9: Manager: When Sullivan was passed over

LSAT Question Stem

The manager's argument is most vulnerable to criticism because it fails to consider the possibility that 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Weaken question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is D. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

First, let's analyze the argument in the passage. The manager claims that the deciding factor for Sullivan not being promoted was not his age, as people said. The conclusion is that age was not the deciding factor. The premise supporting this conclusion is that several recent promotions have been given to people older than Sullivan. The argument's structure is as follows:

Premise: Several recent promotions have been given to people older than Sullivan.

Conclusion: Age was not the deciding factor for Sullivan not being promoted.

To make this more accessible, let's use a simple example. Imagine a sports team where people said that a player, John, wasn't chosen for the starting lineup because he's slower than the other players. The coach argues that speed isn't the deciding factor because other players who are slower than John have been chosen for the starting lineup.

An "Evaluate" question for this argument would be: "Did the slower players who were chosen for the starting lineup have any other advantages over John?"

Now, let's discuss the answer choices for the Weaken question. We are asked to find the answer choice that makes the manager's argument most vulnerable to criticism.

a) Sullivan was well qualified for the promotion

- This answer choice doesn't weaken the argument because the manager is not arguing about Sullivan's qualifications. Instead, the manager is arguing that age was not the deciding factor. Therefore, this answer choice is incorrect.

b) age is only one of a number of factors that kept Sullivan from being promoted

- This answer choice is consistent with the manager's conclusion that age was not the deciding factor. It doesn't weaken the argument, so this answer choice is incorrect.

c) people often associate age with experience and good judgment

- This answer choice actually strengthens the argument, as it makes it less likely that ageism was the cause for Sullivan not being promoted. Therefore, this answer choice is incorrect.

d) the people older than Sullivan who were promoted had no younger competitors

- This is the correct answer choice. If the older employees who were promoted had no younger competition, then their promotion doesn't prove anything about the company's attitude towards older employees or the factors that led to Sullivan's non-promotion. This weakens the argument.

e) Sullivan's employer tries to keep deliberations involving promotion decisions confidential

- The argument doesn't fail to consider the possibility of confidentiality. The argument is based on the results of those deliberations, not the deliberations themselves. This answer choice doesn't weaken the argument, so it is incorrect.

In conclusion, the correct answer choice is (d), as it weakens the manager's argument by suggesting that the older employees who were promoted had no younger competitors, making their promotion irrelevant to Sullivan's case.