LSAT Explanation PT 27, S1, Q2: Although 90 percent of the population

LSAT Question Stem

The argument's reasoning is questionable because the argument fails to demonstrate that 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Flaw question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is D. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

Let's first analyze the argument in the passage. The passage states that although 90 percent of the population believes itself to be well informed about health care, only 20 percent knows enough about DNA to understand a news story about DNA. The author then concludes that at least 80 percent of the population does not know enough about medical concepts to make well-informed personal medical choices or to make good public policy decisions about health care. The structure of the argument is as follows:

Premise: Only 20 percent of the population knows enough about DNA to understand a news story about DNA.

Conclusion: At least 80 percent of the population does not know enough about medical concepts to make well-informed personal medical choices or to make good public policy decisions about health care.

An "Evaluate" question for this argument could be: "Is understanding DNA essential for making well-informed personal medical choices or good public policy decisions about health care?"

Now, let's discuss the answer choices. This is a Flaw question, which asks us to identify the flaw in the argument's reasoning.

a) This answer choice is not the flaw in the argument because the argument is not trying to prove that people who understand news stories about DNA can make well-informed personal medical choices. The argument is about the people who do NOT have enough knowledge about medical concepts.

b) This answer choice is not the flaw because it focuses on the percentage of the population needed to make good public policy decisions, while the argument is about the knowledge of medical concepts among the population.

c) This answer choice is not the flaw because it discusses the relationship between making well-informed personal medical choices and making good public policy decisions about health care, which is not the focus of the argument.

d) This is the correct answer because the argument's reasoning is questionable as it fails to demonstrate that understanding DNA is essential to making well-informed personal medical choices or to making good public policy decisions about health care. The author assumes that knowledge of DNA is necessary for these decisions, but this assumption is not supported by the premise.

e) This answer choice is not the flaw because it deals with the percentage of the population that believes itself to be well informed about health care, which is not the focus of the argument. The argument is about the knowledge of medical concepts and its relationship with making well-informed decisions.

In conclusion, the correct answer is D, as it identifies the flaw in the argument's reasoning by pointing out the missing link between understanding DNA and making well-informed personal medical choices or good public policy decisions about health care.