LSAT 8 | Section 4 | Logical Reasoning: Q23

LR Question 23 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: Sabina: The words used in expressing facts affect neither…

QUESTION TYPE: Point at Issue

CONCLUSION: Sabina concludes that words cannot affect whether an argument is good.

Emile concludes that words do have an impact. People respond to words differently based on their beliefs. The conclusions that people draw depend on how they experience the words.

ANALYSIS: This may be the central theme of the LSAT. Both Sabina and Emile are correct. Technically the words used don’t affect whether an argument is good or not. If we misunderstand an argument, that’s our fault. The argument is still good whether or not we understand it.

But people do misunderstand words. A lot. If you understand every word perfectly and aren’t affected by biases…then the LSAT is easy. But no one is like that. People bring preconceived notions to the table. Everyone does. If you’re making an argument and choose your words poorly then you’ll fail to persuade people.

___________

1. Emilie didn’t say that poorly chosen words will affect the facts. She just said that people will fail to understand the argument.
2. Emilie thinks that words can be carefully defined. But people will still react poorly to the words based on their preconceptions.
3. Emile doesn’t make any claims about whether a good argument is always better than a bad argument. If Emile doesn’t express an opinion then Sabina can’t disagree with it.
4. Both of them would agree here. Sabina doesn’t think reasoning badly is a good idea. Emile doesn’t think it is a good idea to use words that will cause people to misunderstand you.
5. CORRECT. Sabina doesn’t think words can make an argument bad, since they don’t affect the facts or the relation between the premises and the conclusion. Emile clearly states in the first sentence that “badly chosen words can make the soundest argument a poor one.”

Recap: The question begins with “Sabina: The words used in expressing facts affect neither”. It is a Point at Issue question. Learn how to master LSAT Point at Issue questions on the LSAT Logical Reasoning question types page.