Logical Reasoning Ch 2

What are the four stimulus types in Logical Reasoning?

1. Argument: Premises and conclusions.
2. Premise Sets: Non-contradictory premises.
3. Paradox: Contradictory premises.
4. Debate: Two speakers.

What are arguments in LR, and what are they made of?

Arguments are the most common LSAT stimuli, made up of premises and conclusions. Premises are facts, and conclusions are opinions or claims based on those facts. Together, they form an argument, the foundation of the LSAT.

What are Premise Sets in LR?

Premise Sets are the second most common stimulus type. They include only premises and no conclusion, presenting a group of facts to think about and connect.

What is a Paradox in LR?

A Paradox is a special kind of Premise Set where the premises seem to contradict each other, making the stimulus confusing and prompting the question, “How can that be true?”

What is a Debate in LR?

Debates are stimuli where two people speak, with one or both usually making an argument, discussing or arguing whether a specific point is true or false.

What is the CLIR in Logical Reasoning?

The CLIR (pronounced “CLEAR”) refers to analytical tasks for each stimulus type: Debate – Controversy, Argument – Loophole, Premise Set – Inference, Paradox – Resolution. Detect the stimulus type and perform the associated task.

What are premises in an argument?

Premises are the base of the argument, used to support the conclusion. They are facts and evidence that cannot be questioned, independent of the conclusion or other premises.

How should you approach premises in LR questions?

Don’t debate the truth of premises. Focus on how they fit together and their relationship to the conclusion. Premises are defined by their relationship to the conclusion and are the evidence.

What are conclusions in an argument?

Conclusions are the judgments the author makes, built on the arrangement of premises. They rely on premises, are not necessarily ironclad, and can be questioned if the premises aren’t arranged well enough. Conclusions are the claims.

How do you identify premises and conclusions in a stimulus?

Memorize premise and conclusion indicators. When present, they reliably identify parts of an argument. If absent, analyze the nature of each statement: facts (premises) or claims (conclusions), based on how they interact.

What is a valid conclusion in LR?

A valid conclusion must be true if the premises are true. It doesn’t go beyond what the premises support and can be proven using only the given information.

How do you form a valid conclusion?

Look for a common term or category between two premises to connect them. This can involve repeated words, shared categories, or one premise excluding something from a category while another includes it.

What are valid conclusions also known as?

A valid conclusion can also be called an inference, depending on the context.

How do valid conclusions differ from inferences?

Valid conclusions are presented in the stimulus and strongly supported by premises. Inferences are connections we make ourselves from premises, not part of the stimulus.

What are invalid conclusions, and how do you disprove them?

Invalid conclusions make the wrong connection between premises and conclusion. Disprove them by designing strong objections (Loopholes) that show a scenario where premises are true but the conclusion fails.

What are Loopholes in LR?

Loopholes are strong objections that point out specific scenarios where premises are true but the conclusion fails. They are used to invalidate conclusions.

What are the tips for designing Loopholes?

1. Assume something is left out of the author’s presentation.
2. Don’t assume the opposite is true for another group.
3. Don’t fill in gaps between premises.
4. Premises must prove the conclusion without outside knowledge.
5. Don’t confuse similar-sounding ideas as the same.

How can you connect premises to form a new idea?

When a word or idea is in both premises, link them to form a new idea that the premises meant but didn’t clearly state. This shared idea bridges the premises, even in complex language.

What is an intermediate conclusion?

An intermediate conclusion fulfills the role of both a premise and a conclusion. It supports the main conclusion and is supported by premises. It’s a claim needing support, unlike the main conclusion, which it helps prove.

How do you identify an intermediate conclusion?

Look for two conclusion indicators as a giveaway. Otherwise, interrogate statements: If a statement has evidence for it and is evidence for another, it’s an intermediate conclusion. The intermediate conclusion supports the main conclusion and nothing else.

What are nested claims in LR?

Nested claims are when someone besides the author makes a claim (e.g., “Dr. Hamilton’s study found…”). They describe what someone believes. If the author concludes something, the nested claim is a premise for their conclusion.

What is a hybrid argument in LR?

A hybrid argument is a stimulus with only premises and a nested claim, no author’s conclusion. The nested claim acts as the conclusion, and you critique its validity like a main conclusion.

How do nested claims differ in regular and hybrid arguments?

Regular Argument: Author gives their own conclusion; nested claim is a premise; critique the author’s conclusion.
Hybrid Argument: Author gives no conclusion; nested claim is the conclusion; other statements are premises; critique the nested claim.

How do you attack an argument in LR?

Design Loopholes to destroy conclusions by questioning why the conclusion is supposed to be true. Think of possibilities that cast doubt on how premises lead to the conclusion. Never question the truth of premises; attack their relationship to each other and the conclusion.

What should you assume when attacking an argument?

Assume something is left out of what the author presents. Never attack the truth of premises; attack what the premises purposefully aren’t telling you.