Logical Reasoning Problem Set 2 question 188

[salsaden]

This is the question in which Wirth argues that an individual can not be genetically predisposed to manic depression and Chang disputes his conclusion. The question stem asks "Which one of the following most accurately expresses Chang's criticism of Wirth's argument"

I thought this question was asking which of the answer choices most accurately expresses the method of Chang's reasoning and I got this question wrong.

However, am I right in understanding that this question is asking to describe the flaw in Wirth's argument? (that he a) presupposed that only one possibility exists where more than one can?)

Shouldn't this question be labelled a flaw question and not a method of reasoning question then??

[Adam Tyson]

Good question, salsaden, and you've got a good point. This is, to some extent, a question about Wirth's flawed reasoning. It is, however, correctly labeled a Method of Reasoning question, because we aren't being asked to identify what the flaw is - we're being asked to identify what Chang says the flaw is. We want to know how Chang reasoned, not what was actually wrong with Wirth's argument.

Think of it this way - what if Chang is wrong, and the flaw he claims Wirth made didn't really happen? Chang's method would still be the same, but Wirth would not have made that flaw, and it would still be properly called a Method of Reasoning question, with the same correct answer. The fact that we might agree with Chang here doesn't convert it to a Flaw question, since we were only asked to identify what Chang did, not what Wirth did.

Hope that helps!

Adam M. Tyson
PowerScore LSAT Instructor

[salsaden]

That helps a lot, thanks!

[vogelber]

Hello - I'm new to the post and just wondering where do you get the Logical Reasoning Problem Sets 1 and 2 that are referred to in these posts. Thank you.

[Adam Tyson]

Welcome, vogelber! I hope you find this forum to be a useful resource. The problem sets are among the many resources available in our online student center. If you have access to that part of our site, you will find them under the tab for "Supplemental Tests, Test Sections and Questions."

Good luck in your studies!

Adam M. Tyson
PowerScore LSAT Instructor