Secret LSAT Logic Flaws
Here you will find the dirtiest, lowest, sneakiest tricks the LSAT test uses to screw up an argument. The fallacies in this article are not as common on the LSAT test. Still, familiarity with these flaws will get you more points on test day.
This article is the second in a series of lessons that cover common logical fallacies.
The series includes the following articles:
- LSAT Logical Fallacies: an introduction
- Common LSAT Flaws
- Secret LSAT Logic Flaws
Secret LSAT Logic Flaws
These flaws are extra sneaky. Remember, it’s not important to remember the name of the flaw. You won’t be tested on fallacy names. But it is important to recognize the style of flaw so that you can use it to your advantage on test day.
Appeal to Sympathy
The author plays on your emotions to get you to agree with the conclusion.
You have to give me a passing grade. I spent 150 hours on that project and missed every party this quarter.
Red Flag: Similar to an appeal to force, ask yourself what is the connection between the sympathy ploy and the conclusion. Does missing out on parties guarantee a good project or a passing grade?
Appeal to Force
The author practically threatens anyone who disagrees with her conclusion.
If you don’t agree to sign the labor agreement, we’ll fire you.
Red Flag: These are easy to spot. If an author makes any kind of threat, is the threat related at all to the conclusion? What does getting fired have to do with believing that an agreement is correct?
Appeal to Consequences
The author warns of an undesirable — but unrelated — consequence if a certain course of action is taken.
Evolution cannot be true. If it were true, we’d all be smelly apes.
Red Flag: Notice how the consequences are unrelated to the argument. Regardless of how you feel about evolution, if it is true, aren’t we all still human?
Bandwagon Fallacy (Appeal to Popularity)
Something must be true, since many people (or a certain group of people) believe it to be true.
Everyone knows that Japanese DVD players are the best. After all, the outsell American players two-to-one.
Red Flag: Just because a lot of people believe something doesn’t make it right. Could it be that there are twice as many Japanese manufacturers of DVD players?
Loaded Language
The author uses words that play on your emotions.
Smart mothers buy Ploopis peanut butter.
Red Flag: Separate the loaded word from the conclusion. What does being smart have to do with peanut butter?
Ad Hominem Attack
The author attacks the supporter of another argument, instead of the argument itself.
Boris is not qualified to make suggestions about our penal system. As an exconvict, he would always take the criminals’ side.
Red Flag: Separate the attack on a person from the reasoning. Couldn’t it be just as true that Boris is more qualified to make suggestions than most, given that he’s seen the other side of the penal system?
False Analogy
The author argues that two things are similar in some ways, therefore they are similar in all ways.
Running the government is like running a business. You can’t keep running into debt and expect to be successful.
Red Flag: Think about where the two things are not similar. Isn’t the goal of government quite different than the goal of business?
Red Herring (Straw Man)
The author attacks a different argument than the one under consideration..
We must eliminate affirmative action. We can’t rely on laws to end racial prejudice.
Red Flag: Has the original point at issue truly been addressed? It’s true that you cannot dictate how someone feels about race, but is that even the goal of affirmative action? The goal is to level hiring practices, and the author never addresses that.
Secret LSAT Logic Flaws: Summary Tips
- Most of the arguments on the LSAT are flawed in some fashion.
- Learning to recognize common argument flaws will guide you to the red flag, which in turn guides you to the right answer.
- Know these flaws but you don’t necessarily have to know their names. The only names of fallacies the LSAT uses are “begging the question,” and “circular reasoning.”
Now it’s time to return to our LSAT page for more lessons.