LSAT Explanation PT 45, S1, Q13: If the play were successful, it

LSAT Question Stem

The argument's reasoning is flawed because the argument 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Flaw question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is E. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

Let's first analyze the argument in the passage. The argument is structured as follows:

Premise: If the play were successful, it would be adapted as a movie or revived at the Decade Festival.

Premise: The play is not successful.

Conclusion: The play will neither become a movie nor be revived at the Decade Festival.

The argument commits a logical error known as a mistaken negation. Just because the play is not successful, we cannot conclude for certain that it will neither become a movie nor be revived at the festival. There might be other factors that could lead to these outcomes.

An "Evaluate" question for this argument could be: "Are there any other factors, besides the play's success, that could lead to its adaptation as a movie or revival at the Decade Festival?"

Now, let's discuss the answer choices.

a) This answer choice suggests that the argument should have concluded that the play will not both be adapted as a movie and be revived at the Decade Festival, rather than that it will do neither. However, this is not the main flaw in the argument. The main flaw is the mistaken negation, which is not addressed by this answer choice.

b) Although the argument does not explain exactly what makes the play unsuccessful, this is not the main flaw in the argument. The main flaw is the mistaken negation.

c) This answer choice claims that the argument equates the play's aesthetic worth with its commercial success. This is not the main flaw in the argument, as the main flaw is the mistaken negation.

d) This answer choice suggests that the argument presumes there are no further avenues for the play other than adaptation as a movie or revival at the Decade Festival. However, this is not the main flaw in the argument. The main flaw is the mistaken negation.

e) This answer choice correctly identifies the main flaw in the argument, which is the mistaken negation. The argument fails to recognize that the play's not satisfying one sufficient condition (being successful) does not preclude it from satisfying a different sufficient condition for adaptation as a movie or revival at the Decade Festival.

Therefore, the correct answer is E.