LSAT Short Arguments - If-Then Indicators

Question 1

IF-THEN INDICATORS - Summary of many ABSOLUTE words indicating some kind of symbolizable if-then argument is present

remember tiers of strength

• Strong: if-then, 100%
• Medium: causality, increase likelihood
• Weak: Correlation

Answer 1

• REMEMBER if-then is a strong relationship. So if you see “can” or “could” you should be wary if that is really an if-then relationship (e.g. public servant cab undersecretaries question)…think of “if” as meaning “on the condition that” and indicates a full 100% relationship of sufficient–>necessary, it will always happen (as opposed to causal relps, which are about increased likelihood)…so you can see why these words are like absolute words, because it is an absolute relp:

all = if

any = if

anyone = if…. But remember *ANYONE* is STRONG and remember to say “anyone” as EVERY SINGLE PERSON EVER (impt for NEC ACs or when weak language is preferred)

as long as = if

each = if

every = if

everyone = if

had (as in, had we not invested in computer tech = if we did not invested in computer tech)

when = if

“no constructions” as if-then stmts but with a “no” on back end

nobody who flies kites is afraid, if flies kites –> ~afraid

nothing that grows apples is A, if grows apples –> ~A

it is impossible to have a cheap superconductor, if superconductor –> ~cheap

Note on Nobody, Nothing, Impossible – these are different from NOT ALL and other NOT constructions… these are “no constructions” (remember “if you’re one, you’re not the other” is the no mantra, not both construction…that is totally different from “if you’re NOT one, then I am the other” because that is a FALSE contra. Remember to make the first term positive)

Note “because” is not an IF indicator (see 56.2.23 video monkeys)

any other = if not

otherwise = if not

3 types of “only” wrt to necessary terms

• only = then
• the only (ONLY without THE will refer to RESULT right after “only” but the word THE creates a reference to a result elsewhere, usually. The “necessary” term will be the unqualified term that is being singled out from the group via the qualifiers e.g. the only animals that moo are cows: M –> C because C is singled out from animals via moo qualifer)
• only a minority of dogs are hairless: Not referring to necessary statement: just adding emphasis to “minority”

necessary (THIS IS A NECESSARY TERM that IDs result of if-then stmt)

cannot XX (THIS IS A NECESSARY TERM that IDs result of if-then stmt, here ~XX is the necessary term. Scientific theories cannot imply political programs: ST –> ~PP)

required (THIS IS A NECESSARY TERM that IDs result of if-then stmt)

is required (THIS IS A NECESSARY TERM that IDs result of if-then stmt)

essential (THIS IS A NECESSARY TERM that IDs result of if-then stmt)

is essential (THIS IS A NECESSARY TERM that IDs result of if-then stmt)

must (THIS IS A NECESSARY TERM that IDs result of if-then stmt)

depend (THIS IS A NECESSARY TERM that IDs result of if-then stmt)

is a precondition (THIS IS A NECESSARY TERM that IDs result of if-then stmt)

can, could, permit, other permissive words: possible to symbolize as THEN arrow but note these are weak words, so they are kind of a definite result but that result is weaker than “must” etc

either, without, unless = if not

always (aka invariably) (THIS IS A THEN ARROW)

will lead to (THIS IS A THEN ARROW)

follows a policy of (? see PT76.3.1 vadim) is a THEN indicator for if XX –> YY consequence of policy

will eventually (THIS IS A THEN ARROW)

leads to (THIS IS A THEN ARROW)

means (THIS IS A THEN ARROW)

therefore follows (THIS IS A THEN ARROW)

indicates (THIS IS A THEN ARROW)

impart (THIS IS A THEN ARROW)

since XXX provides YYY (provides becomes then arrow, see 63.2.25 harsh criticism) Also, Since xx provides yy and yyy provides zzz, XX—> ZZ

Question 2

Simple definitions are if-then stmts

Symbolizing definitions!

When you see “XX is defined as…” or simply “XX is yyyyy…”

Answer 2

Call it if-then stmt because with DEFN as “if” and term as “result”

Propaganda is an attempt to influence behavior through the repetition of simplistic slogans…

Attempt to IBRSS –> Propaganda

(can set up a very subtle hidden Assume the Trigger flaw)