The phrase "Notwithstanding the planet Dune being a desert" is a phrase and does not have any actual verb. So I assume, when indicators are used like this ( like no aux verb or main verb), then we know it is not an argument. I might be wrong.
How is Q1 an argument? I understand that "With my current medical condition, there may not be another alternative,"supports "I've decided to go ahead with the operation," but the latter seems like a simple statement of fact and not an argument.
@WilRothman I think arguments like this are where the original definitions of premise and conclusion being taken extremely literally. It may not sound like it's trying to be persuasive, but it is still a "statement that is supported by another statement" which is all a conclusion is in the context of an LSAT question.
You can rewrite it as "I've decided to go ahead with the operation because my current medical condition may leave me no other alternative" and it works, and maybe even sounds a little bit more of an argument!
@MelanieLorraineTrevino I read it as a conclusion because the choice is there to have the operation, or to alternatively not have the operation (the argument for the author then becomes "Should I have the operation?". I try to rephrase things like that and it has helped me a lot, phrasing parts of the passage into easier digested questions. Since the option exists to not have any operation, I think that is what makes it an argument.
@brookedonnelly04 Remember what we learned about assumptions. Take away the word "notwithstanding" and the sentence says " the planet Dune is a desert. It was revered and considered invaluable." You would be making an assumption that Dune being a desert is a good thing, that it makes it invaluable. When actually, all the author would be doing is stating facts: "Dune is a desert. It is valued by the people." Changing "notwithstanding" to something that indicates that Dune being a Desert is positive, such as "considering", does not change the fact that the author provided zero reasons for why deserts are an element of a planet that would be considered invaluable. So, no, it is not an argument. I am a beginner too and had to consider this for a while, so correct me anyone if I am wrong.
Why would "I've decided to go ahead with the operation" in Question 1 be a conclusion? Doesn't it have to be an argument (as opposed to just a statement of fact)?
@ProtatoChip It is a conclusion because it is supported by another claim. Any time you have evidence for why something is true, it is a type of conclusion. Ask yourself "how do I know this is true?", for question 1 that would look like "how do I know that the author has decided to go ahead with the operation?" and the answer would be "because with their current medical condition their is no other alternative." In contrast if you were to ask "how do I know that there is no other alternative?", you would not have an answer because that claim is a premise so it is a statement of fact and it is not supported by anything else. Alternatively try rewording the argument so the premise comes first "With my current medical condition, there may not be another alternative. Therefore, I have decided to go ahead with the operation, despite the health risks."
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121 comments
Anybody confuse the Premise/Conclusion in #4? Or did I just work too fast
I say I scored 4.5/5 because the last question tripped me up. I answered:
Concession: Notwithstanding the planet Dune being a desert,
Premise: it was revered and
conclusion: considered invaluable by the people.
But oh well, I'll take what I can get :D
I didn’t watch the video because I felt like I understood. Anything I missed?
4/5 - Got the last one wrong.
The phrase "Notwithstanding the planet Dune being a desert" is a phrase and does not have any actual verb. So I assume, when indicators are used like this ( like no aux verb or main verb), then we know it is not an argument. I might be wrong.
Something to consider, the concessions are usually going to counter the conclusion.
How is Q1 an argument? I understand that "With my current medical condition, there may not be another alternative," supports "I've decided to go ahead with the operation," but the latter seems like a simple statement of fact and not an argument.
@WilRothman I think arguments like this are where the original definitions of premise and conclusion being taken extremely literally. It may not sound like it's trying to be persuasive, but it is still a "statement that is supported by another statement" which is all a conclusion is in the context of an LSAT question.
You can rewrite it as "I've decided to go ahead with the operation because my current medical condition may leave me no other alternative" and it works, and maybe even sounds a little bit more of an argument!
@SavanahHoffstein Thank you for the clarification.
5/5 yea!
5/5 Yay!
5/5 Let's gooo. The dune one almost got me lol.
@Richard.Quiles21 same, but then I asked myself okay WHY is dune revered and invaluable? With no support, there is no argument, it’s just a statement.
@Richard.Quiles21 lol same, it's the shortest example yet the trickiest.
Dune mention!! Anyone watching Dune part 3 in December?
Got 4/5 on this one too. I thought more of the first sentence on 4 was the concession, not realizing it endde mid sentence
Dune mention 🤘
So in other words a concession point is admitting that the other side has a good point
5/5 let's go!!
How is I've decided to go ahead with the operation an argument or conclusion? That reads like a choice or fact to me.
@MelanieLorraineTrevino I read it as a conclusion because the choice is there to have the operation, or to alternatively not have the operation (the argument for the author then becomes "Should I have the operation?". I try to rephrase things like that and it has helped me a lot, phrasing parts of the passage into easier digested questions. Since the option exists to not have any operation, I think that is what makes it an argument.
@MelanieLorraineTrevino I just imagine this person arguing with themself in the mirror - should I or should I not have the surgery?
5/5 again!
5/5 finally!
Getting better…
Would Question 5 still be classified as an argument?
@brookedonnelly04 Remember what we learned about assumptions. Take away the word "notwithstanding" and the sentence says " the planet Dune is a desert. It was revered and considered invaluable." You would be making an assumption that Dune being a desert is a good thing, that it makes it invaluable. When actually, all the author would be doing is stating facts: "Dune is a desert. It is valued by the people." Changing "notwithstanding" to something that indicates that Dune being a Desert is positive, such as "considering", does not change the fact that the author provided zero reasons for why deserts are an element of a planet that would be considered invaluable. So, no, it is not an argument. I am a beginner too and had to consider this for a while, so correct me anyone if I am wrong.
5/5 finallyyy
5/5 Let's go!
Finally got a 5/5!!!
4/5 messed up on the last question, the author point tripped me up
@ShelbyAKolhoff me too!
3/5. Q1 and Q4 got me
Why would "I've decided to go ahead with the operation" in Question 1 be a conclusion? Doesn't it have to be an argument (as opposed to just a statement of fact)?
@ProtatoChip It is a conclusion because it is supported by another claim. Any time you have evidence for why something is true, it is a type of conclusion. Ask yourself "how do I know this is true?", for question 1 that would look like "how do I know that the author has decided to go ahead with the operation?" and the answer would be "because with their current medical condition their is no other alternative." In contrast if you were to ask "how do I know that there is no other alternative?", you would not have an answer because that claim is a premise so it is a statement of fact and it is not supported by anything else. Alternatively try rewording the argument so the premise comes first "With my current medical condition, there may not be another alternative. Therefore, I have decided to go ahead with the operation, despite the health risks."