Logical ReasoningDifficulty: Easy

PT120 S1 Q8 Explanation

Fortune-teller: Admittedly, the claims

A free, expert breakdown of this official LSAT Logical Reasoning question.

TopicsFlaw

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Stimulus

Fortune-teller: Admittedly, the claims of some self-proclaimed “psychics” have been shown to be fraudulent, but the exposure of a few charlatans cannot alter the fundamental fact that it has not been scientifically proven that there is no such thing as extrasensory perception (ESP). Furthermore, since the failed attempts numerous, one must conclude that some individuals do possess ESP.

What this question is testing

Flaw

Your task

Describe the reasoning error the argument actually commits.

Common trap

Answers that name a real logical flaw the argument doesn't actually make.

Winning move

Articulate the gap in the reasoning yourself, then match it to the choice that describes that gap.

Reading along? Open the full official question in LawHub — we show a fragment here and keep the reasoning in our own words.

The question
8.

The reasoning in the fortune-teller’s argument is most vulnerable to criticism on the grounds

Answer choices

  1. Trap2% picked this

    takes for granted that proof that many people lack a characteristic does not establish that

  2. Trap6% picked this

    takes for granted that the number of unsuccessful attempts to prove a claim is the only factor relevant to whether

  3. Trap1% picked this

    overlooks the possibility that some of the scientific studies mentioned reached inaccurate conclusions about

  4. Trap1% picked this

    takes for granted that there is no scientific way to determine whether some

  5. Correct90% picked this

    takes for granted that the fact that a claim has not been demonstrated to be false establishes

    Why this is right

    Answer E is correct.

    Skill tested: Flaw · how this choice captures the argument's function is the move to repeat next time.

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