LSAT Explanation PT 24, S2, Q8: Sociologist: The claim that there is

LSAT Question Stem

The sociologist's argument is flawed because it 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Flaw question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is B. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

First, let's analyze the argument in the passage. The sociologist is arguing against the claim that there is a large number of violent crimes in our society. The argument's structure is as follows:

Premise: The claim that there is a large number of violent crimes in our society is based upon the large number of stories in newspapers about violent crimes.

Premise: Violent crimes are very rare occurrences.

Premise: Newspapers are likely to print stories about violent crimes because they are rare.

Conclusion: The claim that there is a large number of violent crimes in our society is false.

Now, let's come up with an "Evaluate" question for this argument: "Is the rarity of violent crimes a sufficient reason to conclude that there is not a large number of violent crimes in our society?"

The question type of this problem is Flaw, which asks us to identify the flaw in the sociologist's argument. The correct answer is B. Let's discuss each answer choice in detail.

A) This answer choice is incorrect because the argument does not presuppose that most newspaper stories are about violent crime. The argument only states that the claim is based on the large number of stories in newspapers about violent crimes, not that most stories are about violent crime.

B) This is the correct answer. The argument is flawed because it presupposes the truth of the conclusion it is attempting to establish. The sociologist's conclusion is that there is not a large number of violent crimes in our society, and one of the premises states that violent crimes are very rare occurrences. The premise and conclusion essentially state the same thing, making the argument circular.

C) This answer choice is incorrect because the argument does not assume anything about the bias of the newspaper stories. The argument is focused on the rarity of violent crimes and their coverage in newspapers, not the potential bias of the stories.

D) This answer choice is incorrect because the argument does not mistake a property of each member of a group taken as an individual for a property of the group taken as a whole. The argument is about the overall rarity of violent crimes and their coverage in newspapers, not about individual instances of violent crime.

E) This answer choice is incorrect because the argument does not uncritically draw an inference from what has been true in the past to what will be true in the future. The argument is about the current rarity of violent crimes and their coverage in newspapers, not about predicting future trends.

In conclusion, the sociologist's argument is flawed because it presupposes the truth of the conclusion it is attempting to establish (Answer Choice B). The argument is circular, as the premise that violent crimes are very rare occurrences essentially states the same thing as the conclusion that there is not a large number of violent crimes in our society.