LSAT 152 | Section 4 | Logical Reasoning: Q16

LR Question 16 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: Editorial: The main contention of Kramer’s book …

QUESTION TYPE: Flawed Reasoning

CONCLUSION: Kramer’s claim that coal companies are to blame for economic difficulties is false.

REASONING: He relies on claims that companies didn’t invest in other industries, but they actually invested in roads and manufacturing.

ANALYSIS: This is a subtle flaw, but it’s one that you should know.

The reasoning is that Kramer relies on bad evidence.

The conclusion is that Kramer is wrong.

Even if Kramer gave a bad argument, his conclusion could still be true.

___________

1. The editorial doesn’t place the blame on someone else.
2. There’s no appeal to reputation.
3. This would be the case if the editorial questioned what Kramer’s motives are, but that didn’t happen.
4. There’s no conditional claim here, so no confusion between necessary and sufficient.
5. CORRECT. This describes the flaw exactly: dismissing a claim because the argument supporting it is inadequate. Something that can still be right even if the person is making a bad case for it.