54 Questions
Which part of an argument is potentially flawed if the causal statement is in the conclusion?
The reasoning
In the argument provided, what is the causal relationship that is presumed?
Drinking milk causes cancer
What is a common error in causal reasoning identified in the text?
Causal statements in the conclusion
Which part of an argument is less likely to be flawed due to a causal statement according to the text?
The premise
Where should one look for the causal assertion in an argument to determine flawed causal reasoning according to the text?
The conclusion
Which of the following is a signature characteristic of a basic cause and effect relationship?
A single cause making an event happen
What is a common error made in causal conclusions?
Failing to consider alternate explanations
In a basic cause and effect relationship, what is the role of the 'cause'?
It is the event that makes the other occur
What distinguishes causality from conditionality?
Causality indicates that one thing causes another
Which indicator typically shows that a causal relationship is present?
Produced by
In the context of LSAT arguments, what does it mean when a speaker concludes that one occurrence definitively caused another?
The speaker assumes the stated cause is the only possible cause.
What common flaw is identified in the argument about average temperatures and lower per-capita incomes?
Correlation without causation
What is a central assumption made by speakers in LSAT arguments with basic causal conclusions?
There are no other potential causes.
What should you prepare to do when you identify a basic causal relationship in an LSAT problem?
Immediately prepare to weaken the argument.
What can attacking a basic cause and effect relationship on Weaken questions involve?
Demonstrating multiple potential causes for the effect.
Which of the following best describes a situation that can lead to an error of causality?
One event occurring before another event
In the context of causal reasoning, which is a common misconception?
If one event follows another, the first event must have caused the second event
Which of the following statements is true about the LSAT approach to causal reasoning?
LSAT often allows authors to make unchallenged causal claims in their arguments
What is a common situation that can lead to errors of causality?
Correlation between two events without a causal relationship
Which of the following statements accurately reflects a scenario that can challenge basic causal conclusions?
Challenging whether the stated causes are truly responsible for the effect
Which type of answer, if provided, would not effectively weaken a conclusion based on causality in the text?
Proving that the stated relationship is actually reversed
Which scenario would most directly challenge an author's belief that the effect always occurs when the cause takes place?
Showing that even when the cause occurs, the effect does not occur
Which answer, if provided, would not undermine a conclusion based on causality according to the text?
Showing that although the effect occurred, the cause did not occur
Which type of response, if given, would not effectively challenge an author's belief that there is only one cause for a stated effect?
Demonstrating a statistical problem with the data used to make the causal statement
Which scenario could be considered as a valid counterexample to an author's belief that a specific cause always leads to a certain effect?
Proving that another cause could lead to the same effect
In the context of basic causal conclusions, what is the central assumption?
There are multiple possible causes that could produce the same effect.
What is a key difference between causality and conditionality in arguments?
Causality implies a guaranteed outcome, while conditionality implies a possible outcome.
Which situation could lead to an error of causality?
Correlation without causation.
How should one attack a basic causal conclusion when presented?
By considering other possible causes that could produce the same effect.
In the context of causal conclusions, what mistake is indicated by assuming that one event must have caused another?
Overlooking alternate explanations for the observed events.
In cause and effect statements, what is the implied relationship between cause and effect?
Cause must happen first and effect must happen at some point in time after the cause.
What distinguishes the connection between events in cause and effect statements from conditional statements?
In cause and effect, the events are typically related in a direct way, while in conditional statements they do not have to be.
Which type of relationship does not have an implied temporal aspect?
Conditional
What is the central assumption of basic causal conclusions?
The cause happens before the effect.
Which statement is true regarding sufficient and necessary conditions in conditional statements?
The conditions are often related directly but do not have to be.
What is a key difference between introducing cause and effect statements versus conditional statements?
Cause and effect statements use distinct language while conditional statements do not.
Which statement best describes how the necessary condition and sufficient condition relate in conditional statements?
The sufficient condition indicates that the necessary condition must happen but does not directly cause it to occur.
'Before the war can end, I must eat this ice cream cone.' What type of relationship is exemplified in this sentence?
Conditional
Which of the following indicator words is commonly used to introduce a necessary condition in arguments?
If
In a basic cause and effect relationship, what is the primary difference between the 'cause' and the 'effect'?
Cause is the reason given, while effect is the result.
Which of the following situations could lead to an error of causality in arguments?
Mistaking an indicator word for an opposite function.
What is the central assumption of basic causal conclusions in arguments?
The cause directly leads to the effect stated.
When attacking a basic causal conclusion in an argument, what should you primarily focus on?
Attacking the direct link between cause and effect.
Which of the following indicator words is NOT typically associated with introducing a basic cause and effect relationship?
However
'If-then' statements are commonly used to introduce which type of condition in arguments?
Both sufficient and necessary conditions
'For example' and 'Owing to' are examples of what type of indicator words in arguments?
Additional Premise Indicators
What is the central assumption underlying basic causal conclusions in arguments?
There can only be one possible cause for a given effect.
Which of the following is NOT a situation that can lead to errors of causality in arguments?
Relying on clear and direct evidence of the cause-effect relationship.
When attacking a basic causal conclusion in an argument, what should you primarily focus on?
Exploring potential counterexamples to the causal relationship.
In LSAT arguments, what is a common misconception regarding causality?
Effects always have a single, clear cause.
'For example' and 'Owing to' are examples of what type of indicator words in arguments?
Premise Indicators
What distinguishes causality from conditionality in arguments?
Causality explains why something happens, while conditionality states what must happen under specified conditions.
'After all' and 'In spite of' are examples of what type of indicator words in arguments?
'Counter-Premise Indicators'
'Whenever' and 'Only if' are commonly used to introduce which type of condition in arguments?
'Necessary Condition'
Test your knowledge on logical fallacies with this quiz. Explore the concept of assuming causation between events and learn about different possibilities that could explain the correlation between events.
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