LSAT 114 | Section 4 | Logical Reasoning: Q17

LR Question 17 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: Mullen has proposed to raise taxes on the rich, who…

QUESTION TYPE: Flawed Parallel Reasoning

CONCLUSION: We shouldn’t consider Mullen’s proposal to tax the rich.

REASONING: Mullen is rich.

ANALYSIS: This is an ad hominem attack, and it’s worse than usual. First, it doesn’t matter who makes an argument. Attack the argument, not the person making it.

Second: Mullen might actually be in favor of paying more tax. Several US billionaires such as Warren Buffet have called for higher taxes on the rich.

The structure is: don’t listen to this person saying the proposal is good, because this person will be hurt by the proposal.

___________

1. Here the person will be helped by the proposal.
2. CORRECT. Here Dr. Han will be hurt by his own proposal. 
3. This is just plain ad hominem. The witness has no personal stake in it.
4. Here Timm would benefit from his own proposal.
5. Here Dr. Wasow has nothing obvious to gain or lose from his proposal.