LSAT 93, Logical Reasoning II, Q17, LSATHacks

LR Question 17 Explanation, by LSATHacks

QUESTION TEXT: Anarchist: People can either fight for anarchy or they can…

QUESTION TYPE: Flawed Reasoning

CONCLUSION: People should fight for anarchy, because it allows each individual the freedom to pursue a personal course of happiness.

REASONING: People can either fight for anarchy or tolerate totalitarian government control. Historically, government control of all facets of human life destroys the spirit and makes life miserable.

ANALYSIS: This is a weird argument, and the flaw should stand out to you. The argument has presupposed that there are only two options: total anarchy or totalitarian government control. But that’s certainly not the case. People can fight government control to an extent, while not slipping into complete anarchy. The failure of the argument to address possibilities in the middle is its fatal flaw.

___________

1. This answer misses the point. It suggests that the author has failed to show that anarchy is superior, but fails to address the huge flaw in the dichotomy.
2. The argument never says that people should tolerate totalitarian government control. It just presents it as an alternative to anarchy.
3. This is the opposite of what the argument does. The author claims that totalitarianism is objectionable, and so claims that people should fight for anarchy.
4. The argument did indicate evidence for this claim, by noting that history shows it to be true.
5. CORRECT. The argument is based on a false dichotomy. It is possible for a society to be neither anarchist or totalitarian.

Recap: The question begins with “Anarchist: People can either fight for anarchy or they can”. It is a Flawed Reasoning question. Learn how to master LSAT Flaw questions on the LSAT Logical Reasoning question types page.

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