LSAT 131 | Section 2 | Logical Reasoning: Q15

LR Question 15 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: Bowers: A few theorists hold the extreme view that society

QUESTION TYPE: Flawed Reasoning

CONCLUSION: The anarchist theories ignore that any acceptable social philosophy must promote peace and order. Anarchism deserves no further attention.

REASONING: Bowers says that anarchy is chaos. Bowers also says that anarchy is the absence of government and that society might flourish in it.

ANALYSIS: Bowers switches terms. Anarchy is initially defined as “absence of government”. But then out of the blue Bowers said that anarchists countenance chaos.

It’s unlikely actual anarchists would agree they’re recommending chaos. So Bowers is being inconsistent with terms.

___________

1. CORRECT. The term is anarchy itself. Bowers first defines it as “absence of government.” Then Bowers later defines it as “chaos”. It is unlikely that anarchists would agree with this second definition.
2. The author didn’t say that we should reject laissez faire capitalism. They said we should reject anarchy.
3. This is a different flaw.
   Example of flaw: Most people think anarchists are wrong. So anarchists are wrong.
4. The author didn’t say this! An answer can’t be a flaw unless the author says it.
5. The author didn’t say anarchism was wrong because it was extreme! They said it was wrong because anarchy accepts chaos. (Countenances = accepts)