LSAT 156 | Section 4 | Logical Reasoning: Q14

LR Question 14 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: Science writer: Scientists often accept a scientific argument …

QUESTION TYPE: Flawed Reasoning

CONCLUSION: Accepting arguments for social reasons is not detrimental to science.

REASONING: Similar social influences affect all human endeavors.

ANALYSIS: The argument is basically saying: this behavior (relying on social factors) happens in science, but it also happens everywhere else, so it’s not a problem.

That’s the flaw. Just because something is common across many fields does not mean it’s harmless in any particular one. The argument assumes that if a behavior is widespread, it cannot be detrimental to science.

But that doesn’t follow. A behavior could be harmful in every field, or harmful in science specifically, even if it’s common elsewhere. So the reasoning depends on treating “common across endeavors” as evidence that it’s not detrimental.

___________

1. This misreads the argument. The author isn’t saying social reasons are the only legitimate ones—just that they aren’t harmful.
2. CORRECT. It points out the key flaw: the argument assumes that a behavior isn’t detrimental to science because similar behaviors occur in other fields.
3. This would weaken the premise about social influence, but the flaw is about how the conclusion is drawn, not about whether social factors exist.
4. Whether scientists are aware of their behavior doesn’t affect whether it’s detrimental.
5. This reverses the reasoning. The argument doesn’t claim that what’s harmless in science is harmless elsewhere.