PT 57, Sec 2, #16

[unclefester2013]

Ok, maybe I'm just caught up in semantics, or I've not correctly identified all the parts of this argument.

I know that the "dictation software fails to live up to its billing" is the main conclusion. My question is that the last sentence seems to me to be an intermediate conclusion; The laborious part is the thinking and editing therefore "proof reading the error filled output squanders any time saved in typing". It seems to live up to the "Therefore Test".

Am I wrong that it's an intermediate conclusion? The correct answer, B, is straightforward in that it's the ONLY conclusion. I chose A, that it's the main, but not the ONLY. So either I don't know how to completely recognize intermediate conclusions.... or, I'm easily fooled by semantics.

Help......

[ManhattanPrepLSAT2]

Hey Daniel,

Hope the studying is going well!

This is a very unusual problem, and a good question on your end --

The difference between an intermediate conclusion and an opinion that simply serves as a premise is very tough to discern --

One way to look at it is in terms of structure.

An intermediate conclusion has to fit between a premise and the main conclusion.

In the argument for this question, notice that there are opinions given as evidence,but these opinions are not supported by other premises -- that is, they are not concluding these opinions by offering reasoning.

Here are two simple arguments that illustrate the difference between something that is simply a supporting opinion, and something that is an intermediate conclusion.

"The product is great, and we will make a profit. Therefore, the company will be successful."

Notice, "we will make a profit" is an opinion, but it is not an intermediate conclusion. It is only used as evidence to support the main conclusion.

"The product is great, and so we will make a profit. Therefore, the company will be successful."

Just by adding one word, now we've turned the opinion into an intermediate conclusion.

We can read this argument as great --> make profit --> will be successful.

To conclude: An opinion that supports the main conclusion can only be considered an intermediate conclusion if it is itself supported by other evidence.

At least on the LSAT.

Hope that helps! Please let me know if you need further clarification.

[unclefester2013]

Thanks Mike! Great explanation!!