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LSAT > Common LSAT Flaws > Flashcards

Common LSAT Flaws Flashcards

1
Q

False Dilemma:

A

The argument treats two or more things as inconsistent when they are actually consistent.

LSAT Prep, LSATMax; Ebadolahi, Mehran; Frankel, Branden; Woehr, Jelena; Shinners, Matt. 33 Common LSAT Flaws (p. 13). Amazon.com. Kindle Edition.

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2
Q

Ignoring a True Dilemma:

LSAT Prep, LSATMax; Ebadolahi, Mehran; Frankel, Branden; Woehr, Jelena; Shinners, Matt. 33 Common LSAT Flaws (p. 23). Amazon.com. Kindle Edition.

A

The argument treats two or more things as consistent, when they are actually inconsistent.

Also known as: Mutual Exclusivity, True Dilemma, True Dichotomy, Kettle Logic

LSAT Prep, LSATMax; Ebadolahi, Mehran; Frankel, Branden; Woehr, Jelena; Shinners, Matt. 33 Common LSAT Flaws (p. 23). Amazon.com. Kindle Edition.

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3
Q

Failure to Eliminate Alternatives

A

The argument neglects to consider other possibilities.

LSAT Prep, LSATMax; Ebadolahi, Mehran; Frankel, Branden; Woehr, Jelena; Shinners, Matt. 33 Common LSAT Flaws (p. 30). Amazon.com. Kindle Edition.

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4
Q

Ignoring The Middle Ground

A

Also known as: Fallacy of the Excluded Middle

LSAT Prep, LSATMax; Ebadolahi, Mehran; Frankel, Branden; Woehr, Jelena; Shinners, Matt. 33 Common LSAT Flaws (p. 70). Amazon.com. Kindle Edition.

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5
Q

Name 4 Exclusivity Flaws

A

False Dilemma

Ignoring a True Dilemma

Failure to Eliminate Alternatives

Ignoring the Middle Ground

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6
Q

3 Causal Flaws:

A

Treating Correlation As Proof of Causation

Ignoring an Alternate Cause

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7
Q

Treating Correlation As Proof of Causation

A

The argument concludes a causal relationship exists between two things merely because they are associated.

LSAT Prep, LSATMax; Ebadolahi, Mehran; Frankel, Branden; Woehr, Jelena; Shinners, Matt. 33 Common LSAT Flaws (p. 78). Amazon.com. Kindle Edition.

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8
Q

Ignoring an Alternate Cause

A

The argument fails to consider a reasonable alternative in arguing that a cause and effect relationship exists. This is really just failure to eliminate alternatives in a causal argument.

LSAT Prep, LSATMax; Ebadolahi, Mehran; Frankel, Branden; Woehr, Jelena; Shinners, Matt. 33 Common LSAT Flaws (p. 99). Amazon.com. Kindle Edition.

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9
Q

Reversing Cause and Effect

A

The argument correctly identifies a causal relationship, but incorrectly identifies which is the cause and which is the effect. Also known as: Retrocausality, Reverse Causation, Backward Causation, Mistaking an Effect for Its Cause, Mistaking a Cause for Its Effect

LSAT Prep, LSATMax; Ebadolahi, Mehran; Frankel, Branden; Woehr, Jelena; Shinners, Matt. 33 Common LSAT Flaws (p. 115). Amazon.com. Kindle Edition.

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10
Q

2 Sampling Flaws

A

Unrepresentative Sample

Biased Sample

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11
Q

Unrepresentative Sample

A

The argument draws a conclusion about one population on the basis of a survey/experiment on a different/narrower population. Also known as: Faulty Generalization, Hasty Generalization, Overgeneralization, Self-Selection

LSAT Prep, LSATMax; Ebadolahi, Mehran; Frankel, Branden; Woehr, Jelena; Shinners, Matt. 33 Common LSAT Flaws (p. 124). Amazon.com. Kindle Edition.

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12
Q

Biased Sample

A

(Two Groups/Experimental + Control Group) (This is basically a flawed comparison in the sampling context.) Also known as: Cherrypicking, Sampling Bias, Selection Bias

LSAT Prep, LSATMax; Ebadolahi, Mehran; Frankel, Branden; Woehr, Jelena; Shinners, Matt. 33 Common LSAT Flaws (p. 130). Amazon.com. Kindle Edition.

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13
Q

Versus Flaws

A

Part Vs. Whole

Percent vs. Amount

Absolute Vs. Relative

Perception Vs. Reality

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14
Q

Part v. Whole

A

Also known as: Fallacy of Composition, Fallacy fo Division, Part-to-Whole Flaw, Whole-to-Part Flaw

LSAT Prep, LSATMax; Ebadolahi, Mehran; Frankel, Branden; Woehr, Jelena; Shinners, Matt. 33 Common LSAT Flaws (p. 140). Amazon.com. Kindle Edition.

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15
Q

Percent vs. Amount

A
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16
Q

Absolute Vs. Relative

A
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17
Q

Perception Vs. Reality

A

Also known as: Mind Projection Fallacy

LSAT Prep, LSATMax; Ebadolahi, Mehran; Frankel, Branden; Woehr, Jelena; Shinners, Matt. 33 Common LSAT Flaws (p. 177). Amazon.com. Kindle Edition.

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18
Q

3 Inappropriate Appeal Flaws

A

Appeal To Emotion

Appeal To Popular Opinion

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19
Q

Appeal To Emotion

A

The argument supports a factual conclusion with emotional considerations. Also known as: Argumentum Ad Passiones, Argument From Passion, Appeal to Fear, Argumentum Ad Terrorem, Misleading Vividness

LSAT Prep, LSATMax; Ebadolahi, Mehran; Frankel, Branden; Woehr, Jelena; Shinners, Matt. 33 Common LSAT Flaws (p. 185). Amazon.com. Kindle Edition.

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20
Q

Appeal to Popular Opinion

A

The argument takes the fact that many people believe something as proof that thing is true. Also known as: Argumentum Ad Populum

LSAT Prep, LSATMax; Ebadolahi, Mehran; Frankel, Branden; Woehr, Jelena; Shinners, Matt. 33 Common LSAT Flaws (p. 191). Amazon.com. Kindle Edition.

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21
Q

Appeal To Inappropriate Authority

A

The argument relies upon an authority without relevant expertise to support its conclusion. Also known as: Arumentum Ad Verecundiam, Courtier’s Reply

LSAT Prep, LSATMax; Ebadolahi, Mehran; Frankel, Branden; Woehr, Jelena; Shinners, Matt. 33 Common LSAT Flaws (p. 197). Amazon.com. Kindle Edition.

22
Q

2 Equivocation Flaws

A

Ambiguous Word Usage

Equivocation

23
Q

Ambiguous Word Usage

A

The argument uses one word in two unrelated senses.

Also known as: Vague Word Usage, Vagueness, Shift in Meaning, Definitional Retreat, Persuasive Definition

LSAT Prep, LSATMax; Ebadolahi, Mehran; Frankel, Branden; Woehr, Jelena; Shinners, Matt. 33 Common LSAT Flaws (p. 208). Amazon.com. Kindle Edition.

24
Q

Equivocation

A

The argument does not distinguish between two things/concepts that are different.

Also known as: Conflation, Motte-and-bailey Fallacy

LSAT Prep, LSATMax; Ebadolahi, Mehran; Frankel, Branden; Woehr, Jelena; Shinners, Matt. 33 Common LSAT Flaws (p. 225). Amazon.com. Kindle Edition.

25
Q

2 Comparison/Analogy Flaws

A

Ignoring a Relevant Difference

Ignoring a Relevant Similarity

26
Q

Ignoring a Relevant Difference

A

The argument ignores a relevant difference when arguing things are similar. Also known as: Incomplete Comparison, Inconsistent Comparison, False Analogy

LSAT Prep, LSATMax; Ebadolahi, Mehran; Frankel, Branden; Woehr, Jelena; Shinners, Matt. 33 Common LSAT Flaws (p. 246). Amazon.com. Kindle Edition.

27
Q

Ignoring a Relevant Similarity

A

The argument ignores a relevant similarity when arguing things are different. Also known as: Incomplete Comparison, Inconsistent Comparison, False Analogy

LSAT Prep, LSATMax; Ebadolahi, Mehran; Frankel, Branden; Woehr, Jelena; Shinners, Matt. 33 Common LSAT Flaws (p. 259). Amazon.com. Kindle Edition.

28
Q

2 Temporal Flaws

A

Shift In Time Period

The Gambler’s Fallacy

29
Q

Shift In Time Period

A

The argument uses premises about one time period (past/present/future) in order to support a conclusion about a different time period (past/present/future). Also known as: Temporal Fallacy

LSAT Prep, LSATMax; Ebadolahi, Mehran; Frankel, Branden; Woehr, Jelena; Shinners, Matt. 33 Common LSAT Flaws (p. 268). Amazon.com. Kindle Edition.

30
Q

The Gambler’s Fallacy

A

The argument assumes that the probability an event will happen increases with each failed attempt.

LSAT Prep, LSATMax; Ebadolahi, Mehran; Frankel, Branden; Woehr, Jelena; Shinners, Matt. 33 Common LSAT Flaws (p. 274). Amazon.com. Kindle Edition.

31
Q

3 Miscellaneous Flaws

A

Sufficient/Necessary

Circular Reasoning

Weak Premise

32
Q

Sufficient/Necessary Flaws

A

The argument attempts to take the contrapositive of a principle but fails either to reverse or to negate terms.

Also known as: Affirming the Consequent, Converse Error, Fallacy of the Converse, Denying the Antecedent, Fallacy of the Inverse, Inverse Fallacy, Confusion of Necessity and Sufficiency

LSAT Prep, LSATMax; Ebadolahi, Mehran; Frankel, Branden; Woehr, Jelena; Shinners, Matt. 33 Common LSAT Flaws (p. 282). Amazon.com. Kindle Edition.

LSAT Prep, LSATMax; Ebadolahi, Mehran; Frankel, Branden; Woehr, Jelena; Shinners, Matt. 33 Common LSAT Flaws (p. 282). Amazon.com. Kindle Edition.

33
Q

Circular Reasoning

A

The argument uses a premise that is logically identical to a conclusion. Also known as: Circular Logic, Circulus In Probando, Begging the Question

LSAT Prep, LSATMax; Ebadolahi, Mehran; Frankel, Branden; Woehr, Jelena; Shinners, Matt. 33 Common LSAT Flaws (p. 299). Amazon.com. Kindle Edition.

34
Q

Weak Premise

A

The conclusion is logically stronger than the premise.

Also known as: Inductive Fallacy, Modality Flaw

LSAT Prep, LSATMax; Ebadolahi, Mehran; Frankel, Branden; Woehr, Jelena; Shinners, Matt. 33 Common LSAT Flaws (p. 308). Amazon.com. Kindle Edition.

35
Q

5 Disputation Flaws

A

Attacking the Person

Hypocrisy

Red Herring

Straw Man

Absence of Evidence

Outlier

36
Q

Attacking the Person

A

Also known as: Ad Hominem, Appeal to Motive.

LSAT Prep, LSATMax; Ebadolahi, Mehran; Frankel, Branden; Woehr, Jelena; Shinners, Matt. 33 Common LSAT Flaws (p. 318). Amazon.com. Kindle Edition.

37
Q

Hypocrisy

A

Also known as: Tu Quoque, Inconsistent Behavior

LSAT Prep, LSATMax; Ebadolahi, Mehran; Frankel, Branden; Woehr, Jelena; Shinners, Matt. 33 Common LSAT Flaws (p. 338). Amazon.com. Kindle Edition.

38
Q

Red Herring

A

The argument brings up a different, irrelevant issue from the one presented

Also known as: Irrelevant Distraction

LSAT Prep, LSATMax; Ebadolahi, Mehran; Frankel, Branden; Woehr, Jelena; Shinners, Matt. 33 Common LSAT Flaws (p. 344). Amazon.com. Kindle Edition.

39
Q

Straw Man

A

The argument mischaracterizes the position being disputed in order to make that position easier to refute. Also known as: Weak Man Fallacy

LSAT Prep, LSATMax; Ebadolahi, Mehran; Frankel, Branden; Woehr, Jelena; Shinners, Matt. 33 Common LSAT Flaws (p. 358). Amazon.com. Kindle Edition.

40
Q

Absence of Evidence

A

The argument treats failure to prove a claim as proof the claim is false, or the argument treats failure to disprove a claim as proof the claim is true.

Also known as: Argument From Ignorance

LSAT Prep, LSATMax; Ebadolahi, Mehran; Frankel, Branden; Woehr, Jelena; Shinners, Matt. 33 Common LSAT Flaws (p. 369). Amazon.com. Kindle Edition.

41
Q

Outlier

A

The argument attempts to rebut a probabilistic argument with a non-conforming anecdote. Also known as: Argument by Anecdote

LSAT Prep, LSATMax; Ebadolahi, Mehran; Frankel, Branden; Woehr, Jelena; Shinners, Matt. 33 Common LSAT Flaws (p. 381). Amazon.com. Kindle Edition.

42
Q

Partial Solutions Flaws

A

Treating a Partial Solution as No Solution

Treating a Partial Solution as a Complete Solution

43
Q

Treating a Partial Solution as No Solution

A

Also known as: Nirvana Fallacy, Perfect Solution Fallacy

LSAT Prep, LSATMax; Ebadolahi, Mehran; Frankel, Branden; Woehr, Jelena; Shinners, Matt. 33 Common LSAT Flaws (p. 390). Amazon.com. Kindle Edition.

44
Q
A
45
Q

3 Common Wrong Answers

A

Mischaracterizes The Stimulus

Failure to Define/Cite/Specify

Irrelevant to the Conclusion

46
Q

Mischaracterizes The Stimulus:

(Common Wrong Answer)

A

Any answer choice that says something happened in the stimulus when it didn’t, or that something didn’t happen in the stimulus when it did, is automatically wrong. This is a good way to get rid of answers before even considering whether the answer actually describes a flaw, which it might not.

47
Q

Failure to Define/Cite/Specify:

(Common Wrong Answer)

A

Lots of wrong answers quibble about how good a premise is. Say, for instance, an argument in the stimulus cites a statistical study supporting its conclusion. In other words, the study is a premise. A wrong answer might say something like, “Fails to cite the source of the statistics it relies upon.” These answers are almost always wrong because they get argumentation wrong: An argument doesn’t have to support its premises, just the conclusion. So, it’s just not a flaw to fail to support the premise.

LSAT Prep, LSATMax; Ebadolahi, Mehran; Frankel, Branden; Woehr, Jelena; Shinners, Matt. 33 Common LSAT Flaws (p. 403). Amazon.com. Kindle Edition.

48
Q

Irrelevant to the Conclusion

(Common Wrong Answer)

A

A lot of times a flaw answer choice will look good until you consider what is actually being argued about. If the conclusion is about, for instance, human emotion, an answer that is irrelevant to that conclusion might say something like, “Fails to take into account the emotions of non-human animals.” Well, if we aren’t arguing about them, they’re irrelevant.

LSAT Prep, LSATMax; Ebadolahi, Mehran; Frankel, Branden; Woehr, Jelena; Shinners, Matt. 33 Common LSAT Flaws (p. 403). Amazon.com. Kindle Edition.

49
Q
A
50
Q

11 Types of Flaws

A

Exclusivity Flaws (4)

Causal Flaws (3)

Sampling Flaws (2)

Versus Flaws (4)

Inappropriate Appeal Flaws (3)

Equivocation Flaws (2)

Comparison/Analogy Flaws (2)

Temporal Flaws (2)

Disputation Flaws (6)

Partial Solutions Flaws (2)

Miscellaneous Flaws (3)

LSAT (4 decks)

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