Logical Reasoning

PT130 · S1 · Q11 Recent studies indicate a correlation

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Recent studies indicate a correlation between damage to human chromosome number six and adult schizophrenia.

Conclusion (So)

There is no causal connection between damage to chromosome number six and adult schizophrenia.

Evidence

There are people who have adult schizophrenia, but don't have damage to chromosome number six, and there are people who have damage to chromosome number six, but don't have adult schizophrenia.

Evaluation

We probably all know someone (or are someone) with an allergy to cats. When they're around a cat, they start having noticeable symptoms. We would accept that there is a causal connection between the cat and the symptoms. This author is saying, aren't there people with cats, who don't have allergy symptoms? Aren't there people who have allergy symptoms, but not cats?

Yes, author. There isn't a causal connection between cats and allergy symptoms for everyone, but there still is a connection for some.

Goal

Look for an answer addressing the idea that there can be an occasional causal connection between two things, even if there are times when the two things don't have a causal connection.

11.

Which one of the following most accurately describes a reasoning flaw in the argument above?

  1. Correct

    The argument ignores the possibility

    Why this is right

    This objection explains why sometimes we see damage to chromosome number six but no adult schizophrenia, but still affirms that in some cases a certain type of damage to chromosome number six will lead to schizophrenia. Since this lets us argue that there is some causal connection, this is a powerful objection.

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

    59% picked this

  2. The argument presumes, without providing

    Too Strong

    The author doesn't have to assume that all schizophrenia is caused by chromosomal damage. In fact, she doesn't have to assume any schizophrenia is caused by chromosomal damage, since she's arguing that there's no causal connection.

    6% picked this

  3. The argument makes a generalization

    Not "Sampling"

    The conclusion is a generalization, but how would we say that the sample is unrepresentative? When LSAT wants us to call out the sketchiness of a sample (because it's too small or biased or unrepresentative) they give us some explicit clue.

    5% picked this

  4. The argument mistakes a cause

    Not "Causal Flaw"

    Since the author's conclusion is saying "X does not have a causal connection to Y", we won't be able to accuse her of committing a causal flaw. (For the record, I don't think this answer choice "mistakes cause for effect" has ever been correct)

    3% picked this

  5. The argument presumes, without providing

    Not "Causal Flaw"

    Since the author's conclusion is saying "X does not have a causal connection to Y", we won't be able to accuse her of committing a causal flaw. This author thinks that "an imperfect correlation implies a lack of causation".

    27% picked this

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