LSAT 88, Logical Reasoning I, Q12, LSATHacks

LR Question 12 Explanation, by LSATHacks

QUESTION TEXT: Bauer: It is a mistake to criticize the city for being…

QUESTION TYPE: Flawed Reasoning

CONCLUSION: Criticizing the city for being overzealous in issuing parking tickets is a mistake.

REASONING: Parking will be worse if parking regulations aren’t enforced.

ANALYSIS: So obviously not enforcing parking regulations is bad, and issuing parking tickets zealously is a better option, but that doesn’t mean that it’s not still a flawed approach. Bauer is basically saying “don’t criticize because the alternative is worse.” The correct answer choice would be something along these lines.

___________

1. Bauer isn’t misrepresenting a criticism about the practice’s consequences. He’s also not talking about the intrinsic value of the practice.
2. This would be correct if his argument was, “We should listen to the city because it’s the city.” So it’s incorrect for our purposes.
3. We don’t know if zealously issuing tickets is how things have been “traditionally” done. If could be that this is a recent initiative. Eliminate.
4. There is no cause and effect relationship here.
5. CORRECT. Bauer says that the city is alright in overzealously issuing tickets since the alternative is a worse situation.

Recap: The question begins with “Bauer: It is a mistake to criticize the city for being”. It is a Flawed Reasoning question. Learn more about LSAT Flaw questions in our guide to LSAT Logical Reasoning question types.

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