LSAT Question Stem

The flawed reasoning in the argument above is most similar to the flawed reasoning in which one of the following? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Parallel 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 passage presents an argument against Mullen's proposal to raise taxes on the rich. The premise is that Mullen's tax records show heavy investment in business and large profits during the past decade. The conclusion is that Mullen's proposal does not deserve our consideration. The argument is flawed because it attacks the source (Mullen) rather than addressing the merits of the proposal itself. This type of flaw is known as an ad hominem attack or source attack.

Now, let's create an "Evaluate" question for this argument: "Is the fact that Mullen made money in the past relevant to the validity of his proposal to raise taxes on the rich?"

The question type for this problem is Parallel Flaw, asking us to identify which answer choice contains flawed reasoning most similar to the flawed reasoning in the passage.

Let's examine each answer choice:

a) This answer choice suggests not voting for Smith's proposed legislation to subsidize child care for working parents because Smith is a working parent. While it is also an ad hominem attack, the flaw is different from the passage because Smith would actually benefit from the proposal, whereas Mullen's proposal would negatively affect him.

b) This answer choice suggests not putting any credence in Dr. Han's proposal to ban smoking in all public places because Dr. Han is a heavy smoker. This flaw is similar to the passage because Dr. Han would be negatively affected by the proposal, just like Mullen. Both arguments attack the source without addressing the merits of the proposal. This is the correct answer.

c) This answer choice suggests ignoring the previous witness's testimony because he has been convicted of forgery and mail fraud. While this is also an ad hominem attack, it does not parallel the passage because it does not involve a proposal that would negatively affect the source.

d) This answer choice suggests not considering board member Timm's proposal to raise the salaries of the company's middle managers because Timm's daughter is a middle manager at the company's headquarters. While this is an ad hominem attack, it differs from the passage because Timm's proposal would benefit his daughter, unlike Mullen's proposal that would negatively affect him.

e) This answer choice suggests not taking Dr. Wasow's analysis of the design of a bridge seriously because Dr. Wasow has previously only designed factory buildings. This answer choice does not parallel the passage because it does not involve a proposal that would negatively affect the source and is not an ad hominem attack.

In conclusion, the correct answer is B, as it contains flawed reasoning most similar to the flawed reasoning in the passage. Both the passage and answer choice B involve ad hominem attacks against proposals that would negatively affect the sources (Mullen and Dr. Han), without addressing the merits of the proposals themselves.