Parallel ReasoningDiff: Medium

Logic Breakdown

Passage Summary: If all art makes you feel things, and this statue is art, it should make you feel things. Since it doesn't make you feel anything, either it isn't art or the 'all art' rule is wrong.

Conclusion: Either the specific sculpture is not a work of art, or the general rule that all art evokes intense feelings is incorrect.

Reasoning: If a general rule and a specific classification are both true, a certain result must follow; because that result is absent, at least one of the starting premises must be false.

Analysis: The structure here is a valid deductive form: (If P and Q, then R). We are then told (Not R). The conclusion is (Therefore, Not P or Not Q). This is essentially the contrapositive of a conjunction. When looking for a parallel, ensure the conclusion is a disjunction (an 'either/or' statement) and that the premises set up a conditional relationship involving two necessary components. Don't get distracted by the subject matter; focus entirely on this 'If both are true, then X; X is not true, so at least one isn't true' logic.

Passage Stimulus

Passage Redacted

Unlock Full Passage

15.

Which one of the following arguments is most similar in its pattern of reasoning to the argument above?

Correct Answer
C
C is a perfect match: All vitamins are safe in large doses; beta-carotene is a vitamin; therefore it should be safe. But it’s not safe; hence either not all vitamins are safe in large doses or beta-carotene is not a vitamin. Same universal + instance -> prediction; deny the prediction; conclude an or statement.
Upgrade Your Prep

Ready to go beyond free explanations?

LSAT Perfection is the #1 modern LSAT prep platform, trusted by thousands of students for comprehensive test strategies, advanced drilling, and full analytics on every PrepTest.

Detailed explanations for 59 PrepTests
Advanced drillset builder
Personalized analytics
Built-in Wrong Answer Journal
Explore Perfection Plus for full LSAT prep