LSAT 144 – Section 4 – Question 15

LSAT 144 - Section 4 - Question 15

October 2015

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Question
QuickView		 Type Tags Answer
Choices		 Curve Question
Difficulty		 Psg/Game/S
Difficulty		 Explanation
PT144 S4 Q15
+LR
Flaw or descriptive weakening +Flaw
Value Judgment +ValJudg
A
0%
146
B
3%
156
C
1%
154
D
94%
165
E
1%
157
128
137
147
 +Easier 147.675 +SubsectionMedium

Live Commentary

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Armstrong: For the treatment of a particular disease, Dr. Sullivan argues for using nutritional supplements rather than the pharmaceuticals that most doctors prescribe. But this is in his self-interest since he is paid to endorse a line of nutritional supplements. Thus, we should not use nutritional supplements in treating the disease.

Summarize Argument: Counter-Position
The author concludes that we should not use nutritional supplements in treating the disease. This is based on the fact that Dr Sullivan, who argues in favor of using nutritional supplements to treat the disease, has a personal interest in making that argument, because he’s paid to endorse a line of nutritional supplements.

Identify and Describe Flaw
The author inappropriately attacks the source rather than the merits. Rather than presenting reasons that the nutritional supplement should not be used to treat the disease, the author simply attacks Dr. Sullivan’s motivations in encouraging others to use nutritional supplements. But his self-interest isn’t relevant to whether nutritional supplements are a good idea for treating the disease.

A
relies on two different meanings of the term “supplement” to draw a conclusion
The word “supplement” means the same thing throughout. It’s a dietary addition that one takes for nutrition.
B
relies solely on an appeal to an authority whose trustworthiness should not necessarily be taken for granted
The author’s argument does not rely on an authority. The author never says, “X says we shouldn’t use nutritional supplements, so that’s why we shouldn’t use them.” The author criticizes the source of a claim, but that’s not a reliance on authority.
C
appeals to people’s emotions regarding the treatment of disease rather than to the efficacy of the two approaches to treatment
The author doesn’t appeal to emotions. The author simply points out the self-interest of Dr. Sullivan. There’s no indication that this is supposed to lead to an emotional reaction.
D
criticizes Dr. Sullivan’s motives for holding a position rather than addressing the position itself
The author criticizes Dr. Sullivan’s motives (self-interested due to endorsement of nutritional supplements). But the author doesn’t address why nutritional supplements shouldn’t be used in treating the disease.
E
fails to justify its presumption that nutritional supplements cannot be used in conjunction with other treatments
The author doesn’t assume that nutritional supplements can’t be used in connection with other treatments. The reasoning isn’t, “We should use other treatments, so we can’t use nutritional supplements.”

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LSAT PrepTest 144 Explanations

Section 1 - Reading Comprehension

Section 2 - Logical Reasoning

Section 3 - Logical Reasoning

Section 4 - Logical Reasoning

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