LSAT Explanation PT 25, S4, Q4: Columnist: The country is presently debating

LSAT Question Stem

The columnist'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

Let's first analyze the argument in the passage. The columnist presents the following argument:

Premise: The legislation is supported by members of groups that have resorted to violent tactics in the past and by individuals who are facing indictment on tax-evasion charges.

Conclusion: We must defeat this legislation and what it stands for.

The structure of the argument is that the columnist is attacking the legislation based on the character of its supporters. This is a classic example of an ad hominem fallacy, where the argument focuses on the people supporting the idea rather than the idea itself.

An "Evaluate" question for this argument could be: "Does the character of the supporters have any bearing on the merits of the legislation itself?"

Now, let's discuss the question type and the answer choices. The question is a Flaw question, asking us to identify the flaw in the columnist's argument.

a) This answer choice is incorrect because it refers to the "integrity of the originators of the legislation." The passage does not mention the originators of the legislation, only the supporters. If this answer choice replaced "originators" with "supporters," it would be closer to the correct answer.

b) This is the correct answer choice because it accurately describes the ad hominem fallacy in the argument. The columnist assails the legislation based on the questionable character of its supporters, which is irrelevant to the merits of the legislation itself.

c) This answer choice is incorrect because the argument does not appeal to public sentiment for those who would be adversely affected. The focus is on the character of the supporters, not the potential impact on others.

d) This answer choice is incorrect because the argument does not presuppose that legislation is bad whenever it has only a small number of supporters outside the country's national legislative body. The argument is focused on the character of the supporters, not the number of supporters.

e) This answer choice is incorrect because the argument does not reject the legislation on the grounds that its supporters act inconsistently in seeking to place burdens on manufacturers. The argument is focused on the character of the supporters, not their potential inconsistency in supporting the legislation.

In conclusion, the correct answer to this Flaw question is answer choice B, as it accurately identifies the ad hominem fallacy in the columnist's argument. The other answer choices either misrepresent the argument or focus on irrelevant aspects.