October 1994 LSAT Section 1 Question 18

Frieda: Lightning causes fires and damages electronic equipment. Since lightning rods can prevent any major damage, e...

AndrewArabie on May 2 at 05:02PM

Answer choice A

Why does the respondent have to show that benefits offset any disadvantages? I spotted the error in reasoning, that he recommends not doing something simply because there is a greater problem that the recommendation doesn't address. But Erik doesn't have to show any offset to avoid an error in reasoning in his objection does he?

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Emil-Kunkin on May 5 at 01:29AM

This is a though one. I would never have described the issue with Erik's argument like A, and I would have absolutely said something along the lines that you did. However, I do think that when responding to an argument that is effectively "X is good so we should do it" you need to show some reason why either X is not good, or why doing X would be bad for some reason like cost or unintended consequences.

AndrewArabie on May 6 at 01:37AM

Glad to know I'm in good company. I certainly understand the rationale you provided for A. Thank you