Logical Reasoning Basic Concept I
The logical reasoning (arguments) sections of the LSAT contain a variety of different problems each with their own particular nuances that require a specific strategy to best address the problem. Having said that, it is important to understand that there are some foundational concepts that must be identified and understood before the examinee can hope to master the logical reasoning (arguments) sections of the LSAT.
The first basic concept that examinees should understand is the different uses of conditions by the LSAT problem makers. There are two types of conditions that examinees will see in logical reasoning (arguments) problems: (1) necessary conditions and (2) sufficient conditions. It is critical to master the differences between these two types of conditions prior to undertaking the LSAT.
A necessary condition is a condition that is required before a certain result can occur. For example, air must be blown into a balloon before it will expand. On the other hand, a sufficient condition is a condition that could be adequate, on its own, to lead to a certain result. For example, if you are trying to determine who blew up the balloon, stating that Tim has the capacity to blow up the balloon is merely a sufficient condition with respect to the result that Tim blew up the balloon. This is because Tim is presumably one of many that could have blown up the balloon, but that does not mean that he did. It would have to be shown that only Tim could have blown up the balloon for the condition to be necessary.
It is critical for the examinee to remember that logical reasoning (arguments) problems test logic. The ability to distinguish between necessary and sufficient conditions is an integral component of the overall mastery of logic generally that is required for success on logical reasoning (arguments) problems.
Another LSAT Logical Reasoning example will help to demonstrate this concept. Consider the following statements:
Being a good football player is contingent upon being able to run fast, jump high, and lift heavy weights.
An individual who can run fast, jump high, and lift heavy weights will be a good football player.
The second statement is the perfect example of a mistake that countless LSAT examinees make. The latter statement mistakenly interprets the prior statement as establishing sufficient conditions rather than necessary conditions. How is this so? The first statement simply states that you cannot be a good football player without the ability to run fast, jump high, and lift heavy weights. It does not state that the ability to run fast, jump high, and lift heavy weights will automatically make the actor a good football player. Many more elements may play a part in someone becoming a good football player.
Once able to identify these distinctions, LSAT examinees will quickly be able to identify lettered answer selections that should be quickly eliminated from consideration in many problems in the logical reasoning (arguments) sections of the LSAT. Refining this skill will not only improve accuracy, but will also reduce the time needed to correctly answer the problems presented.
Logical Reasoning Basic Concept I
Logical Reasoning Basic Concept II
Logical Reasoning Basic Concepts III & IV
Logical Reasoning Basic Concepts V
Logical Reasoning Basic Concept VI