LSAT Question Stem

Professor Sedley uses which one of the following strategies of argumentation in responding to Professor Beckstein's argument? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Method of Reasoning question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is A. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

First, let's summarize and analyze the argument in the passage. Professor Beckstein's argument can be broken down as follows:

Premise: American Sign Language (ASL) is the native language of many North Americans.

Sub-Conclusion: ASL is not a foreign language.

Conclusion: No student should be permitted to satisfy the university's foreign language requirement by learning ASL.

Professor Sedley responds to Professor Beckstein's argument by pointing out that French and Spanish are also native languages of many North Americans, yet students are allowed to satisfy the foreign language requirement by studying them. This would parallel the situation of ASL, making it seem unreasonable to prohibit students from using ASL to satisfy the requirement.

The question asks us to identify the strategy of argumentation that Professor Sedley uses in responding to Professor Beckstein's argument. This is a Method of Reasoning (MOR) question.

Now let's discuss each answer choice:

a) Attempting to demonstrate that the reasoning used to reach a certain conclusion leads to another conclusion that is undesirable.

This answer choice accurately describes Professor Sedley's strategy. He shows that if we were to apply Professor Beckstein's reasoning to French and Spanish, it would lead to an absurd conclusion (prohibiting students from satisfying the foreign language requirement with these languages). Therefore, answer choice (a) is correct.

b) Trying to show that a certain conclusion contradicts some of the evidence used to support it.

Professor Sedley does not argue that the conclusion contradicts the evidence. Instead, he points out the undesirable consequences of adopting Professor Beckstein's reasoning. This answer choice is incorrect.

c) Questioning an opponent's authority to address the issue under discussion.

Professor Sedley does not question Professor Beckstein's authority to discuss the issue. He focuses on the logic of the argument rather than the person making it. This answer choice is incorrect.

d) Offering an alternative explanation of the facts used to arrive at a specific conclusion.

Professor Sedley does not offer an alternative explanation for the facts. Instead, he highlights the unreasonable consequences of adopting Professor Beckstein's reasoning. This answer choice is incorrect.

e) Agreeing with the conclusion of a particular argument while rejecting the evidence used to support the conclusion.

Professor Sedley does not agree with Professor Beckstein's conclusion. He uses an analogy to show that the reasoning behind the conclusion is flawed, which leads to undesirable consequences. This answer choice is incorrect.

In summary, answer choice (a) is the correct answer, as it best describes Professor Sedley's strategy of argumentation in responding to Professor Beckstein's argument.