Logical Reasoning

PT157 · S3 · Q17 Anarchist: People can either fight

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Anarchist: People can either fight for anarchy or they can tolerate totalitarian government control.

Evidence

People can either fight for anarchy or they can tolerate totalitarian government control.

History shows that government control of all facets of human life destroys the spirit, making life miserable.

Anarchy allows each individual the freedom to pursue a personal course of happiness.

Conclusion

People should fight for anarchy.

Evaluate

"Should" tends to be a strong word on the LSAT. When the conclusion of an argument makes a recommendation, stating what someone "should" do, the evidence is supposed to clearly justify why that is the best course of action.

As a general rule, we accept the evidence that we're given in LR questions. However, difficult LR questions will occasionally test our critical thinking skills in a more holistic way. To answer these questions correctly, we need to be flexible and take a big-picture view, rather than mechanically following general rules.

Even though we can consider the first sentence of this argument as evidence, it stands out as rather extreme statement. Anarchy and totalitarian government control are extremes at the opposite ends of the spectrum. Most systems of government that exist fall somewhere in between. Is it reasonable to think that anarchy and totalitarian government control are the only two options available? No, it's not. There is a clear false choice flaw baked into this premise, which makes the argument questionable from the start.

17.

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

  1. Governments provide many social goods,

    Contradicted

    The argument does explain why anarchy is desirable — it allows freedom to pursue happiness. And it explains why totalitarianism is undesirable — it destroys the spirit. This answer mischaracterizes the argument.

    6% picked this

  2. By asserting that people both

    Contradicted

    The argument does not say people should tolerate totalitarianism — it argues they should fight for anarchy instead. The first sentence presents toleration as one option; the conclusion recommends against it. There is no contradiction within the argument.

    2% picked this

  3. The argument infers from the

    Reversal

    This answer reverses the argument's actual logic. The argument infers from "totalitarianism is objectionable" that "people should fight for anarchy" — not the other way around. This answer has the direction of inference backwards.

    5% picked this

  4. The argument offers no indication

    Contradicted

    The argument says "history shows" that totalitarianism makes life miserable. "History" is offered as evidence. This answer claims no evidence is indicated, which contradicts the text.

    7% picked this

  5. Correct

    The argument sets out anarchy

    Why this is right

    This identifies the false dichotomy. The argument presents only two options — anarchy and totalitarianism — as if nothing exists between them. In reality, most political systems occupy the vast middle ground: democracies, republics, constitutional monarchies, and numerous other forms of limited government. By excluding these alternatives, the argument artificially narrows the choice to make anarchy seem like the only reasonable option.

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

    80% picked this

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