LSAT and Law School Admissions Forum

Get expert LSAT preparation and law school admissions advice from PowerScore Test Preparation.

 kcho10
  • Posts: 68
  • Joined: Nov 02, 2015
|
#43262
Hi,

Why isn't E correct? The statement all gray rabbits are rabbits is valid. The statement "suspected criminals are criminals" is invalid because suspected does not mean they were actually criminals. Isn't the author assuming that both of the statements are equally valid? And if so, wouldn't a statement that weakens the validity of the second statement show a flaw in the argument?
 Claire Horan
PowerScore Staff
  • PowerScore Staff
  • Posts: 408
  • Joined: Apr 18, 2016
|
#43731
Be careful! Your comment would make sense if (E) said: not all suspected criminals are criminals. But look closely at (E), which states that "not all criminals are suspected." This statement has no bearing on whether all suspected criminals are criminals.

Secondly, the question stem asks why the reasoning is flawed, so you should focus on what is wrong with the process used to reach the conclusion. (C) describes the reason the rabbit analogy does not apply to the phrase "suspected criminals."

I hope this helps!
 LSATQUEEN180
  • Posts: 9
  • Joined: Aug 20, 2023
|
#102919
According to the stimulus, because of the first statement, statement 2 must be true:
1. all gray rabbits are rabbits
2. all suspected criminals are criminals

The flaw here is that they are trying to make the word suspected and gray mean the same thing, when in fact they are different. Looking at the answer choices: C clearly identifies the flaw.
User avatar
 Jeff Wren
PowerScore Staff
  • PowerScore Staff
  • Posts: 690
  • Joined: Oct 19, 2022
|
#103099
Hi LSATQUEEN180,

You've got it!

Just to clarify for anyone else, the word "gray" here is describing a type of rabbit or a subcategory of rabbit.

The word "suspected" here is not describing a type or subcategory of criminal, but instead describing the level of certainty/uncertainty with regard to being criminal. It would be somewhat like stating "possible criminal."

Get the most out of your LSAT Prep Plus subscription.

Analyze and track your performance with our Testing and Analytics Package.