Logical ReasoningDifficulty: Easy

PT5 S1 Q13 Explanation

That the policy of nuclear deterrence

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

TopicsFlaw

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Stimulus

That the policy of nuclear deterrence has worked thus far is unquestionable. Since the end of the Second World War, the very fact that there were nuclear armaments in existence has kept major powers from using nuclear weapons, for fear of starting a worldwide nuclear exchange that would make the land that a third world war between superpowers has not happened.

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
13.

Which one of the following, if true, indicates a flaw in

Answer choices

  1. Trap0% picked this

    Maintaining a high level of nuclear armaments represents a significant drain on

  2. Trap14% picked this

    From what has happened in the past, it is impossible to infer with certainty what will happen in the future, so an accident could

  3. Trap2% picked this

    Continuing to produce nuclear weapons beyond the minimum needed for deterrence increases the likelihood of

  4. Trap3% picked this

    The major powers have engaged in many smaller-scale military operations since the end of the Second World War, while

  5. Correct80% picked this

    It cannot be known whether it was nuclear deterrence that worked, or some other factor, such as a recognition of the economic

    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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