Q15 - Editorialist: Society is obligated to

[lbalocca]

I understand why C is correct, but can someone please explain why D is wrong?

The science of physiological development is definitely irrelevant to maturity for decision making. Although you could make a case that it is relevant, the editorialist does not make the argument and, thus, too readily accepts the claim.

[jamiejames]

I sadly don't have a full explanation for you, other than there is a trend that when "equivocal" or "equivocates" is an answer choice in flawed questions, it's almost always the correct answer. I also put D, but I suppose it's because science is an appropriate authority for things to do with human biology and human maturation. Furthermore, all the other answer choices are wrong, and D and C are the only ones that seem right.

I apologize that i couldn't be of more help.

[timmydoeslsat]

The issue with (D) is that we are told as fact that science has established that most persons at age 17 are physiological mature/developed.

There is no flaw in too readily accepting this claim. This has been established by science. The arguer is using this fact to support his conclusion of changing the age from 18 to 17 to give privileges of adulthood.

Society is to do this when members are mature enough to accept the responsibilities.

Notice the switch of the concept. Physically mature does not equate to being mature enough to accept responsibility.

I would also caution that on flaw questions, you see the same flaws listed in each question: circular reasoning, concept equivocation, ad hominem (personal attack rather than issue attack), switching conditions (necessary <---> sufficient), inappropriate appeal to authority, and generalization (I saw 2 white cats this morning on my way to work, therefore only white cats are out in the morning).

Then there are other flaw questions in which the arguer is assuming something to reach its conclusion. The question stem variety to this flaw question would be like, "this argument is vulnerable due to failing to consider that..."

And failing to consider something is the same thing as saying that the arguer assumes the thing is not happening.

[maryadkins]

Hard question.

I think the real reason (D) is tempting is if we read the "claim" as referring to the conclusion of the editorialist, not to finding of science. So the question is whether it too readily accepts the claim that there no reason not to give 17-year-olds all rights by appealing to science's definition of adulthood.

The problem, I suggest, is the "inappropriate authority" part. Science as an authority isn't necessarily inappropriate. "Science" could possibly provide evidence supporting this conclusion ("studies show that by seventeen, people's behavior is as mature as it is during the rest of their lives..."). It's just... the evidence HERE isn't it. Why not? Because physiological adulthood isn't necessarily the same as being mature enough to accept responsibility.

(A) is wrong because it doesn't assume what it's trying to prove. It just tries to prove it based on evidence that doesn't work.
(B) is wrong because it's not a general conclusion based on a few examples.
(E) is irrelevant.

[cyt5015]

Thank you for above explanation, but I'm still confused about answer D.
I refers "a claim"back to the author's conclusion and "the authority" back to the study of physiological development. In that case, the study is inappropriate. However, by definition, "authority" means (1) a person or organization having power or control in a particular sphere (2) the power or right to determine. Does that mean it would be a mistake to refer "authority" to "study"? I guess my questions are (1) what can be considered as "authority" on LSAT. (2) what if answer D is modified to " too readily accepts a claim by appeal to inappropriate study, will that make the answer correct?
Thank you!

[maryadkins]

Good question.

In my experience (which is...a lot) with the LSAT, "authority" means a person (or less often, as you note, a powerful body like a government). If the test wants to call into question research or a study, it will call it that: research, or study.

In this case, as timmydoeslsat noted, "science" is not an objectionable authority. I think that was probably a better and simpler way of explaining (D) rather than the more convoluted explanation I gave before!

As for this question:

2) what if answer D is modified to " too readily accepts a claim by appeal to inappropriate study, will that make the answer correct?

I don't think it would stay "a study" because for all we know there were scads of studies ("science has established" suggests as much). But if it said "appeal to irrelevant/inappropriate research," I would be more comfortable with it, although I think what I was trying to say above still applies:

The editorialist isn't ACCEPTING a claim. The editorialist is MAKING a claim. So it still feels off.

[nickek]

I don't get the answer

I know what 'equivocate' means, as in to use unclear language to deceive

But what does 'equivocates with respect to a central argument' mean?

[logicfiend]

I didn't catch this as I was doing the Cambridge flaw packet, but the "equivocation" is similar to the flaw question phrasings "confuses x with y" or "mistakes x with y." I've seen it used when the flaw is wrongly equating one phrase/word with another, which is what is happening here.

The stimulus starts off by talking about individuals becoming mature enough to accept responsibilities. Once they do, they can be given the privileges of adulthood.

But in the next sentence, the editorialist is saying that "physiological development" is completed by 17. So because the maturing process is completed, there is no reason not to give them these privileges. But is being "mature enough to accept responsibilities" the same as being physiologically or physically mature?

No, so he's equivocating by equating mental maturity with physical maturity. Hope that helps.

[jiangziou]

Society should bestow people the privilege of adulthood once they are mature.

When are they mature?

Mature 1: they are ready to accept the corresponding responsibilities.
Mature 2: their physiological development is completed.