LSAT FLAWS Flashcards
(23 cards)
What is the ad hominem flaw?
Attacks the source of the argument rather than the argument itself.
Example: We shouldn’t trust Jane’s argument about climate change. After all, she’s not a scientist, and she’s known for making exaggerated claims.
What is the equivocation flaw?
Using the same word in two different ways, can be ambiguous meaning.
Example: A bird is an animal, and animals are capable of moving. Therefore, birds are capable of moving, which means they are free to fly anywhere they want.
What is the analogy flaw?
Using an analogy that doesn’t make sense.
Example: Attacking LSAT questions is like attacking starships.
What is the appealing to authority flaw?
When an argument relies on the opinion of someone who is not a reliable expert in the relevant field.
Example: My dad told me that fertilizing my flowers will make them grow better. Even though he has never grown flowers, he went to law school so he must be right!
What is the confusing correlation with causation flaw?
When you make an assumption that two things are connected based off observations instead of actual facts (evidence).
Example: I sneeze whenever Susan walks in the door. I must be allergic to her.
What is the circular reasoning flaw?
No independent argument, the premise just repeats itself.
Example: God must exist because the Bible says God exists, and the Bible is the word of God.
What is the confusing sufficient and necessary conditions flaw?
Sufficient guarantees the result, necessary 100% ensures the result will happen. Cannot confuse the two and switch them.
Example: When Susan arrives, we’ll start the project. Susan hasn’t arrived, so obviously we haven’t started the project.
What is the false dichotomy flaw?
When there are only 2 extreme options, but what about in the middle?
Example: Everything on this earth is either a cat or a dog.
What is the confusing probability for certainty flaw?
Just because something could happen does not mean that it will happen.
Example: The stunt man has a 99% chance of dying when he performs that stunt, so you’d better arrange for his funeral tomorrow.
What is the confusing ‘is’ for ‘ought’ flaw?
Confuses the existence of a practice with the rightness or wrongness of that practice.
Example: Most people in this country drive cars, and driving is a common mode of transportation. Therefore, it is wrong to impose heavy taxes on car usage, because people have the right to use cars freely.
What is the percentages vs. quantity flaw?
Percentages don’t necessarily reveal quantity and vice versa.
Example: I drove through the outskirts of Elko once. It wasn’t pretty. The city of Elko must not be a pretty place.
What is the hasty generalization flaw?
Making an unfair conclusion based on a small size.
Example: In a recent experiment, 20 participants who took a daily multivitamin reported feeling more energetic. Therefore, taking multivitamins makes everyone more energetic.
What is the experiments to reach a general conclusion flaw?
Using an experiment and assuming a sample size can be applied to make a broad generalization.
Example: John: The microwave is broken, so we should go out to eat. Jill: Having a broken microwave does not mean that we should eat out. Therefore, we should not go out to eat.
What is the argument fails, so the opposite of your conclusion must be true flaw?
Just because you’ve wrecked someone’s argument doesn’t mean that you can conclude the opposite of his conclusion.
Example: Of all the runners on the team, Jenna is the fastest. Therefore, Jenna is a fast runner.
What is the relative vs absolute flaw?
Confuses a relative ranking (specifics) with an absolute attribute (generalization).
Example: Company profits have been declining for three consecutive quarters. Therefore, the company must lay off employees to restore profitability.
What is the confusing one possible solution for the only solution flaw?
Thinking one possible solution is the only solution available.
Example: The Bobcats should have won the World Series this year. Their mascot is cooler than any other mascot.
What is the red herring flaw?
Argument doesn’t address the relevant issue in argument, but talks about some other issue that has nothing to do with the relevant issue.
Example: This school has always required students to wear uniforms. Therefore, it should continue to require uniforms.
What is the tradition fallacy flaw?
Assumes just because something is old or how things have always been done doesn’t mean that it is better.
Example: The university is ranked among the top in the nation. Therefore, every department at the university must be top-ranked.
What is the confusing part vs whole flaw?
When you assume that the entirety of something means parts of it too.
Example: Most people believe that taking vitamin C prevents the common cold. Therefore, vitamin C must be effective in preventing colds.
What is the belief vs fact flaw?
Don’t assume that just because you think something means it is true.
Example: Critic: ‘The city’s public transportation system is inefficient and unreliable.’ Spokesperson: ‘But the city has invested millions of dollars in bike lanes and green spaces to promote environmental sustainability.’
What is the strawman flaw?
Exaggerating, misrepresenting, or fabricating someone’s argument.
Example: Person A: ‘We should have stricter laws to reduce the number of guns on the streets.’ Person B: ‘My opponent wants to take away everyone’s right to own guns, which is an attack on our freedom and rights.’
What is the false dilemma?
Same thing as False Dichotomy, except there is a choice.
Example: Either we increase the military budget, or the country’s defense will collapse.
What is the confusing sufficient for necessary flaw?
Just because something is true does not mean it is the only explanation.
Example: If it rains, the ground will be wet. The ground is wet, so it must have rained.
