advanced causal reasoning

[jimmy1115]

Dear powerscore admin,

I have a question regarding the identification of non-absolute causal reasoning, I know that cases like 'probably', 'part of the reason'...etc count.

But what about the use of can? for instance, 'A can cause B', is this absolute causal reasoning or non-absolute? when the author says 'A can cause B', is he arguing that 'A must cause B' (definitive)? or rather in a non-absolute way?

thank you

Best,
Jimmy

[Dave Killoran]

It's non-absolute. The best you can say there is that sometimes it causes B but it's not required that it always causes B.

Thanks!

[jimmy1115]

Dear Dave,

thank you for your reply.

So to attack/weaken this statement 'A can cause B' (or any other non-absolute causal statement), to show that there are alternative cause (like C can cause B), or that 'A is present, B is not' or vice versa- these are not useful right (i.e. unable to weaken).

Thank you again

Best,
Jimmy

[Dave Killoran]

That's basically right. What you'd want to see in a correct weakening answer is something that shows that A can't cause B. Or that B cannot be caused by A.

Note that an intelligent test maker could create that outcome by saying something like, "C is the only cause of B." That would be a great right answer since it mentions C (which initially would appear irrelevant) but then also indicates that A can't cause B because of how it is worded.

Thanks!

[jimmy1115]

Got it, thank you Dave!

Best

[Mmjd12]

Hi all,

Quick question about the term "the only":

"only" and "only if" indicate necessary conditions, and "the only" indicates a sufficient condition. Is that true for both causal and conditional reasoning? Or does "the only" trigger a sufficient condition only when dealing with conditional reasoning?

Many thanks for all your help

[Robert Carroll]

Mmjd12,

"Only" is a conditional indicator, so it's not going to indicate a cause or effect. Causes and effects can, like any facts, be in conditionals, but the word "only" is just indicating the conditional relationship. If there is a causal relationship, that relationship is going to be indicated by the causal words.

So in Dave's example:

"C is the only cause of B."

The causal indicator is "cause". C is the cause, B is the effect. "Only" here just indicates that, if anything is a cause of B, it must be C. So:

something is a cause of B that something is C

Robert Carroll

[Dave Killoran]

This might help too: https://blog.powerscore.com/lsat/bid-28 ... with-only/