Statement starting with TO: Conditional or Causal

[smtq123]

Hi,

Ca you please clarify whether the below statement are Conditional or Causal or None of Them and reasons for it.

1. To get an A, you should study.
2. To get an A, I recommend that you study.

Your support is much appreciated.

Thanks & Regards.

[Rachael Wilkenfeld]

Those are neither, smtq123. The key attribute of conditional statements is the idea of requirement. Neither statement you gave had a component of requirement to it. "To get an A, you MUST study" is a conditional statement.

Those statements are also not causal. Causal statements hinge on one thing leading to another. Neither of your statements indicates that the studying leads to the grade. "Studying causes one to get an A" would be a causal statement.

Hope that helps!

[smtq123]

Hi,

Please note that Q23 in LSAT 48, section 4, the conclusion is considered as causal. However, it uses the format "To do X, I recommend Y" and the flaw is based on causality.

Can you please take a look at it. Many thanks for your support.

Regards.

[Adam Tyson]

The argument in that case is not directly causal, smtq123, because the author is not claiming that one thing must be causing another thing. However, the author must necessarily assume that there is a causal relationship, such that the training will result in better time management. Otherwise, their recommendation makes no sense. Why recommend taking an action with the goal of achieving a certain result unless you believe that the action will lead to that result? That's where the causality appears within the overall scope of that argument - in the assumption made by the author, and not expressly within their recommendation.

The statement "to do X, I recommend Y" is not causal in itself, because it makes no claim about a cause and an effect, but it can imply that the author believes there is a causal relationship. It can also, in different context, imply that the author believes there is a conditional relationship, that X is necessary whenever Y occurs. But that's based on context and not on any inherent nature of the statement. "Should" and "recommend" are neither conditional nor causal indicators.