LSAT 2 | Section 2 | Logical Reasoning: Q12

LR Question 12 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: People have long been fascinated by the paranormal…

QUESTION TYPE: Method of Reasoning

CONCLUSION: It would be premature to conclude that telepathy is an alternative means of communication.

REASONING: Some research supports the idea that telepathy exists. Yet all of the results can be explained by alternative causes that do comply with known laws.

ANALYSIS: This is a good argument. We lack definitive proof that telepathy exists therefore it is too early to conclude that it does.

___________

1. CORRECT. This is it. The conclusion is appropriately balanced. All the author does is point out that telepathy is not yet firmly established.
2. Experiments are mentioned, but none are described.
3. An example of overgeneralization is assuming that something that is true in one instance is true all of the time. That isn’t happening here. The author is correct that there is currently insufficient evidence for telepathy.
4. The conclusion is supported by the premise that all evidence for telepathy also has alternate explanations.
5. This is another way of saying “circular reasoning.” But the conclusion is supported by the fact that the evidence for telepathy can all be explained another way.

Recap: The question begins with “People have long been fascinated by the paranormal”. It is a Method of Reasoning question. Learn more about LSAT Method of Reasoning questions in our guide to LSAT Logical Reasoning question types.