LSAT (Law School Admission Test)Logical ReasoningMedium
Columnist: The mayor's proposal to fund new public parks by increasing property taxes is deeply flawed. Property taxes disproportionately burden homeowners, many of whom are already struggling financially. Therefore, this proposal is unjust and should be rejected.
- AThe columnist does not define what constitutes 'struggling financially' for homeowners.
- BThe columnist fails to consider that the new public parks might provide significant economic benefits to the city.
- CThe columnist assumes that any proposal that disproportionately burdens homeowners is unjust.
- DThe columnist takes for granted that the mayor's proposal would not benefit homeowners.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. The columnist assumes that any proposal that disproportionately burdens homeowners is unjust.
The columnist moves from the premise that the proposal disproportionately burdens homeowners to the conclusion that it is unjust. This step requires the unstated assumption that any policy with such a disproportionate burden is, by definition, unjust.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Lack of definition is a minor weakness, not the central assumption connecting the premises to the conclusion.
- B. This points to an omission, but the core logical leap is in the definition of 'unjust'.
- D. While possible, the core flaw is in moving from 'disproportionate burden' to 'unjust'.
Principle-Based Assumption
An unstated general rule or principle that an argument relies upon to connect a specific situation to a broader judgment or conclusion.
- Often involves ethical or moral judgments.
- Acts as a bridge between a factual premise and a normative conclusion.
- If the principle is not accepted, the conclusion may not follow.
Memory trick: The hidden 'rule' that makes the specific case fit the general judgment.