Match each of the following brief arguments to the abstract description that most accurately identifies its logical flaw.
- Senator Vance's proposed legislation to strictly regulate artificial intelligence development should be dismissed outright. As a former executive at a traditional software company that lost market share to AI startups, Vance clearly harbors a grudge against the new industry. His arguments about data privacy are just a smokescreen for his desire to stifle competitors.Rejects a policy proposal primarily by questioning the motives of the person advancing it rather than evaluating the merits of the proposal itself.
- We are currently facing an unprecedented budget deficit. Therefore, we must either completely eliminate our lunar colonization program or immediately double the income tax rate for all citizens. Since the public will absolutely not tolerate a massive tax hike, we have no choice but to shut down the lunar program.Inappropriately treats two alternative courses of action as if they are the only available options.
- The new fusion restaurant downtown is guaranteed to be an extraordinary dining establishment. They have hired Chef Antoine, who is world-renowned for his sauces, Chef Bella, who has won international awards for her pastry, and Chef Carlos, a master of seafood. With such exceptional individual talent in the kitchen, the restaurant as a whole will be flawless.Infers that an entity will possess a certain level of quality merely because each of its constituent parts possesses that quality.
- Over the last three decades, the cost of extracting fossil fuels in the northern territories has steadily decreased year over year due to advancing drilling technology. Consequently, we can rely on these extraction operations to become even cheaper over the next decade, ensuring affordable energy for the region.Takes for granted that a historical trend will continue indefinitely without considering potential limits or changing conditions.
Answer
Stimulus 1 matches the Ad Hominem flaw, Stimulus 2 matches the False Dilemma flaw, Stimulus 3 matches the Composition flaw, and Stimulus 4 matches the Time Shift flaw.
Each stimulus exhibits a classic LSAT logical fallacy. By isolating the premises and conclusion of each short argument, the structural gap can be mapped perfectly to the abstract phrasing provided in the correct flaw description.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Identifying abstract descriptions of common logical fallacies.