Q15 - Armstrong: For the treatment

[atzhang6v6]

Hi, I chose B and still not sure why B is incorrect because ithe argument does rely on motives to discredit Sullivan, isnt it? Also C sounds about right as well because self interest kind of sounds similar as emotion...it is hownpeople feel or think right?

[ManhattanPrepLSAT1]

Hi atzhang6v6, thanks for bringing this one to the LSAT Forums!

Armstrong concludes that we should not use nutritional supplements in treating the disease. Why? Dr. Sullivan's endorsement of using nutritional supplements for treating the disease is in his self-interest.

This argument displays an ad hominem attack. Attack the proponents character or interest does not undermine the proponents position. Bad people (or claims that serve one's self-interest) do occasionally telling the truth.

Answer choice (D) describes the ad hominem attack.

Incorrect Answers
(A) refers to the wrong flaw: equivocation. The meaning of the term "supplement" is consistent throughout the argument.
(B) refers to the wrong flaw: appeal to inappropriate authority. If this had been an appeal to an authority it would sound like, "because so-and-so said "X" is true, "X" is indeed true."
(C) refers to the wrong flaw: appeal to emotion. "Emotion" is different than "interest." The term emotion is more how you feel, less how you think.
(E) incorrectly asserts an assumption of the argument. The argument doesn't assume exclusivity of treatments.