Logical Reasoning · Flaw

PrepTest 147 · Section 1 · Question 13

Phase 1 (your first ~400 questions): read the guidance, then answer. No clock.

Step 1 · Pre-Question Guidance · read this first

Question type

Flaw

The one idea it tests

Pointing out that a person's views don't fit together is not a reason to reject one of those views.

The basic logic

The argument shows that the claim-maker accepts something that has the same features he objects to. Then it throws out his claim. But being inconsistent shows only that he must give up one of the two views; it does not tell you which one. This is a cousin of Attack the Kid: it aims at the speaker, not the claim.

Tiny words that decide it

“since”
“however”
“should be rejected”
“surely”

Playground logic

Sharon's top bun: hogging the swing is unfair because it makes others wait just for one kid's fun. Frankie's move: Sharon is fine with hogging the top of the slide, which does the same thing, so her swing claim is wrong. But Sharon being inconsistent says nothing about whether swing hogging is fair; maybe she should change her mind about the slide instead.

Step 2 · The kid story

Swing Hog Court

At recess, Sharon marched up to the swings. "Hogging the swing is unfair! It makes everyone else wait just so one kid can have fun." Frankie grinned. "Ha! Yesterday you sat at the top of the slide for ten whole minutes, and you said that was totally fine. That made everybody wait just for your fun too. So your swing rule is wrong." Sharon turned red. Priya sipped her juice box. "Frankie, you caught Sharon being inconsistent. Nice catch. But that only means one of her two ideas is wrong. Maybe it's the slide idea that should go." Frankie opened his mouth, then closed it. Marcus whispered, "So... who wins?" Priya shrugged. "The kid waiting for the swing."

Step 3 · Try the model question

Sharon says hogging the swing is unfair because it forces others to wait solely for one child's enjoyment. But Sharon thinks sitting at the top of the slide for ages is fine, and that also forces others to wait solely for one child's enjoyment. So Sharon's view about the swing should be dismissed.

The argument is open to criticism because it

Step 4 · The courtroom tale

The Leaf Blower Complaint

Mr. Dobbs complained that his neighbor's leaf blower was a nuisance: loud noise early in the morning, just to tidy a lawn. Mr. Whitfield, for the neighbor, smiled. "Your Honor, Mr. Dobbs mows his own lawn at seven a.m. That is loud noise early in the morning just to tidy a lawn. So his complaint should be thrown out." The judge peered over her glasses. "Counselor, you have shown that Mr. Dobbs may be a hypocrite. You have not shown that the leaf blower is quiet. Perhaps both machines are nuisances." Mr. Whitfield slowly sat down. "Noted, Your Honor. I will need a better argument."

Step 5 · Work the real question

Open PrepTest 147, Section 1, Question 13 in your official copy from LSAC (for example in LawHub) and read it there.

Your answer

How to apply it

Find the top bun: the argument rejects someone's claim. Then check the patty: is the only reason that the person holds another view that conflicts with it? If so, ask whether the argument ever shows the claim itself is false. It does not. Pick the choice that names rejecting a claim because of the speaker's inconsistency, and ignore choices about generalizing or necessary conditions unless they fit the actual move.