Logical Reasoning Flashcards
Family 1
Use stimulus to prove answer choice. No outside info. Accept info, even if error in reasoning.
Must be True/Most Strongly Supported
Family 1
Main Point
Family 1
Point at Issue/Agreement
Family 1
Method of Reasoning
Family 1
Flaw in the Reasoning
Family 1
Parallel Reasoning/Flaw
Family 1
Family 2
Stimulus under suspicion. Which one best meets questioned posed in stem. Can have outside info.
Assumption
Family 2
Justify the Conclusion
Family 2
Strengthen/Support
Family 2
Resolve the Paradox
Family 2
Family 3
Attack author’s argument. Information in stimulus suspect. Which answer best attacks the argument in the stimulus?
Weaken
Family 3
Fourth Family
Accept Stimulus info. Use it to prove one of answer choices cannot occur. If an answer choice has outside info or not in stimulus then it could be true and is incorrect.
Must be True-1st Family correct answer:
Can always be proven by referring to the facts stated in the stimulus.
“If the statements above are true…”
1st family
“The statements above, if true…”
1st family
“If the information above is correct…”
1st Family
Which of the following must also be true
Must be True
Which of the following conclusions can be properly drawn on the basis of it?
Must be True
Which one of the following can be properly inferred from the statements?
Must be True
Most Strongly Supported-A
Do not have to pass a strict test, but often do, and should ytu to prove each answer choice as strongly as possible.
Main Point-A
Correct answer choice will be a rephrasing of the main conclusion of the argument. Must follow rom stimulus.
Wrong- 1) answers that are true but not the main point. 2) answers that repeat the premises of the argument
“Which of the following most accurate;y expresses the main conclusion of the argument?”
Main Point
Which of the following most accurately expresses the main conclusion of the journalist’s argument?
Main Point
The main point of the argument is that
Main Point
Contapositive
Reverse & Negate
Denies the necessary condition, thus making it impossible for the sufficient condition
If
Sufficient
When
Sufficient
Whenever
Sufficient
Every
Sufficient
All
Sufficient
Any
Sufficient
Each
Sufficient
In order to
Sufficient
People who
Sufficient
Then
Necessary
Only
Necessary
Only if
Necessary
Must
Necessary
Required
Necessary
Unless
Necessary
Except
Necessary
Until
Necessary
Without
Necessary
Unless
Term modified by unless (except, until, without) becomes necessary condition. Remaining term is negated and becomes the sufficient condition.
Double Arrow
Indicates the two terms must always occur together. Both sufficient and necessary.
“If and only if”
Biconditional. Double arrow.
All but only
Biconditional. Double arrow.
Double Not Arrow
The two variables at the ends, cannot occue at the same time.
Weaken- A
Undermines the argument as decisively as possible. Focus on the conclusion.
Info in stimulus is suspect. Often reasoning errors are present.
Answer choices accepted as given, even if they include “new” info.
Calls into question, casts doubt, undermines
Weaken
How to weaken
Hurts the argument but does not ultimately destroy.
“Would the answer choice force the author to reconsider their position, or force them to respond?”
Conclusion may fail to account for some element/possibility.
Causality
A single cause MAKES an effect happen.
If found in conclusion be ready to either weaken or strengthen.
Weaken possible/probable conclusions
1) Show relationship is reversed
2) Show statistical problem exists with data used to make causal statement
3) Possible third cause that could’ve caused both elements.
Supports, helps, MOST justifies
Strengthen
Strengthen incorrect
1) Opposite answers
2) Shell Game
3) Out of scope- support issues either unrelated to the argument or tangential to argument
Advertisement-
Stimulus that follows has deceptive or faulty logic.
Strengthen except
Four incorrect answers strengthen the argument and the correct answer either has no effect, or weakens the argument.
Causality in Strengthen
1) Eliminate any alternate causes
2) Show when cause occurs, effect occurs
3) show when cause does not occur, effect doesn’t either
4) Eliminate possibility that stated relationship is reversed
5) Data is accurate or get rid of problems w/ data
Justify the Conclusion Formula
Premises + Answer Choice = Conclusion.
Justify- A
Correct answer proves conclusion by adding piece of info to the premises, thus making the reasoning structure valid. MUST PROVE CONCLUSION 100%. Can have superflous infor but must prove conclusion.
The conclusion above logically follows if which of the following is assumed?
Justify the Conclusion
Which of the following, if assumed, would allow conlcusion to be properly drawn?
Justify the Conclusion
Which of the following, if true, enables the conclusion to be properly drawn?
Justify the Conclusion
Which of the following, if assumed, enables the argument’s conclusion to be properly inferred?
Justify the Conclusion
Which of the following is an assumption that would serve to justify the conclusion?
Justify the conclusion
The conclusion would be properly drawn if it were true that
Justify the Conclusion
The conclusion above is properly drawn if which of the following is assumed
Justify the Conclusion
Solving Justify Questions: Mechanistic Approach
1) Any “new” element in the conclusion will appear in the correct answer.
2) Elements that are common to the conclusion and at least one premise not normally in the correct answer-bridge already established
3) Elements in premise but not in conclusion.
Short: Link new elements in premises and conclusion, and ignore elements common to both.
What is an assumption?
Unstated premise of the argument. Author takes for granted and leaves unsaid. NECESSARY for conclusion
Assumption-A
Answer must contain a statement that the author relies upon and is fully committed to in the argument. CANNOT contain extraneous information.
Presupposition/assumption. NEVER uses if or any other sufficient condition indicators
Assumption
Defender assumption
Protect the argument. Show possible source of attack has been eliminated.
Assumption Negation Technique
Logically negate the answer choices, the negated choice that weakens the argument is the correct choice.
Assumption-At least one or at least some
Usually correct if starting like this. Double check it though
