University:
The University of Pittsburgh
Course:
LSAT | Prep Course
Academic year:

2023
Views:

87

Pages:

1
Author:

mns81

LSAT PREP Sage Training – Week 1 Logical Reasoning Section – Assumptions and Complex Arguments Assumptions:      Stronger an argument is the fewer and more reasonable its assumptions are. Weaker an argument is more and less reasonable its assumptions are. Assumptions – claim whose truth we take for granted, so the argument run through. o Something unstated, but if were stated it would help the premise better support the conclusion. o Potential to help arguments become stronger. Not all assumptions are equally reasonable. o Some are more likely to be true. As soon as we grant the truth of its premises the truth of the conclusion is guaranteed. o Valid arguments are ones where if the premises are true than the conclusion must be true. Complex Arguments:    When a claim both receives support from one claim and gives support to another claim o It is possible for a claim to be a premise and a conclusion. o A claim may be a premise in relation to one claim yet a conclusion in relation to another claim.  Example: all dogs are adorable. Fluffers is a dog. Therefore, Fluffers is adorable. All adorable things are cute. Fluffers is cute.  Premise 1: all dogs are adorable.  Premise 2: Fluffers is a dog.  Sub conclusion: therefore, fluffers is adorable.  Premise 3: all adorable things are cute.  Conclusion: fluffers is cute. A claim that receives and gives support is a sub-conclusion, intermediate conclusion, or major premise. o Sub conclusion – both a conclusion and a premise. When an argument has more than one layer of support present it is called complex a argument to distinguish it fromsimple arguments o Contain more than one support relationship. o A claim which gives and receives support is a major premise or sub-conclusion.