LSAT 5 | Section 1 | Logical Reasoning: Q13

LR Question 13 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: That the policy of nuclear deterrence has worked thus far…

QUESTION TYPE: Flawed Reasoning

CONCLUSION: It is unquestionable that the policy of nuclear deterrence has worked so far.

REASONING: There has been no third world war between the superpowers, yet. Therefore it must have been fear of nuclear war that kept them from fighting.

ANALYSIS: It is very important to notice that the conclusion is making a claim about the past. Nuclear deterrence has worked so far. Most of the wrong answer choices deal with the future.

___________

1. That may be, but a nuclear war would be an even higher drain. The cost of the policy doesn’t mean deterrence hasn’t worked.
2. The argument’s conclusion is about the past, not the future.
3. This is also talking about the future. We had no accident in the past.
4. This supports the argument. The superpowers still engage in war, but they shy away from full out nuclear conflict.
5. CORRECT. Yes. Correlation does not equal causation. Remember that. We have no proof that it was deterrence that prevented nuclear war. Maybe politicians just didn’t feel like slaughtering their enemies.

Recap: The question begins with “That the policy of nuclear deterrence has worked thus far”. It is a Flawed Reasoning question. Learn how to master LSAT Flaw questions on the LSAT Logical Reasoning question types page.