LSAT 106 | Section 3 | Logical Reasoning: Q26

LR Question 26 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: It is common to respond to a person who is…

QUESTION TYPE: Parallel Reasoning

CONCLUSION: It’s irrational to respond to personal criticism by shooting the messenger.

REASONING: The other person may have faults. But that doesn’t affect their argument. What they’re saying about you is either right or wrong, and you should focus on that.

ANALYSIS: This is a good argument. It points out that if you attack the person criticizing you, you’re making an ad hominem error.

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1. This argument commits the ad hominem flaw from the stimulus. The country should focus on the strength of the other country’s arguments, even if that country is being hypocritical.
2. This argument makes the flaw that the stimulus tells us to avoid. The argument focuses on the neighbor’s personal failings, rather than the strength of the neighbor’s argument.
3. This argument is recommending an accused country commit an ad hominem flaw, for political advantage. (That might be good practical advice, of course, but it’s logically incorrect.)
4. CORRECT. This argument tells us to focus on the philosopher’s arguments, not his actions. It’s warning us to avoid an ad hominem flaw.
5. This argument doesn’t prove its point. Maybe we should always point out wrongs, even if everyone fails at some point.