Numerous books describe the rules of etiquette. Usually the authors of

Question

Numerous books describe the rules of etiquette. Usually the authors of such books merely codify standards of behavior by classifying various behaviors as polite or rude. However, this suggests that there is a single, objective standard of politeness. Clearly, standards of politeness vary from culture to culture, so it is absurd to label any one set of behaviors as correct and others as incorrect.

The reasoning in the argument is most vulnerable to criticism on the grounds that the argument

(A) reaches a conclusion about how people actually behave on the basis of assertions regarding how they ought to behave

(B) bases a generalization about all books of etiquette on the actions of a few authors

(C) fails to justify its presumption regarding the influence of rules of etiquette on individual behavior

(D) overlooks the possibility that authors of etiquette books are purporting to state what is correct behavior for one particular culture only

(E) attempts to lend itself credence by unfairly labeling the position of the authors of etiquette books “absurd”

Bunuel · Accepted Answer

EXPLANATION FROM Fox LSAT

Hmm. So the idea here is basically, “There are many cultures, and many different standards of politeness, therefore no single book on etiquette can possibly be correct.” We’re asked to find a vulnerability, or flaw, in the argument.

Initially, I thought the answer might be something like, “The argument ignores the likelihood that spitting in someone’s grandma’s face during a family dinner is probably rude in all cultures.” But then I looked a little closer at the argument, and the argument actually isn’t claiming that it’s never correct to label a single behavior rude or polite; rather, the argument says no one book can be correct.

I don’t think the argument is perfect, because there’s a gap between “there are many different cultural standards of politeness” and “therefore no book on etiquette can be correct.” That’s a chink in the armor at the very least, even if it’s not a flaw  per se . (I suspect the “flaw” here is basically “the argument’s evidence doesn’t fully justify its conclusion.”) A good weakener would directly probe that gap—something like, “Even though there are many standards of etiquette, there can still be a single book on etiquette that is correct.” Because that would totally devastate the argument, I think the speaker has necessarily assumed that “if there are many cultural standards of etiquette, no single book on etiquette can be correct.”

I don’t  love  any of what I just said, but I do think I’ve explored one of the argument’s weaknesses. You can’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good on the LSAT —there just isn’t enough time. We have to make an argument, even if it’s imperfect, and then move forward. Let’s see what the answer choices have for us.

A) No, the behavior of people is not at issue here. The argument was about whether a single book of etiquette can be correct, not about how people actually behave.

B) No, the argument didn’t do this. This would be the answer if the argument had said, “Because authors A, B, and C are wrong, no author can be right.”

C) Same explanation as A. The argument is just not about behavior.

D) Oh, I can make a case for this answer. Perhaps Ms. Manners can write a book about etiquette in the United States, and  tell her readers  that she’s writing about United States etiquette, and still be correct even if the book would be worthless in India. If that’s true, then the argument’s conclusion is ridiculous.  Of course there are different standards, and different cultures will each have their own books!  I think this is probably our answer.

E) Nah. The argument didn’t say, “These other people are absurd, therefore I am right.” Rather, it was labeling “absurd” the idea that any single book of etiquette could be correct. It’s not unfair to call a position absurd if you arrive there by reason. But the  reasoning itself  was flawed, as D points out.

So our answer is D.

sherxon · Answer

Conclusion : 
- it is absurd to label any one set of behaviors as correct and others as incorrect.
 Premises : 
- authors of books on etiquette merely codify standards of behavior by classifying various behaviors as polite or rude, suggesting that there is a single, objective 
 standard of politeness. 
- standards of politeness vary from culture to culture

Assumption:  books on etiquette do not consider cultural differences  when classifying various behaviors as polite or rude.
The flaw lies in the assumption.

(A) reaches a conclusion about how people actually behave on the basis of assertions regarding how they ought to behave
how people actually behave is not discusses here

(B) bases a generalization about all books of etiquette on the actions of  a few authors 
The stimulus says " numerous books ", so "a few authors" is incorrect

(C) fails to justify its presumption regarding the influence of rules of etiquette on individual behavior
Irrelevant. influence of rules of etiquette on individual behavior is not discussed.

(D)  overlooks the possibility that authors of etiquette books are purporting to state what is correct behavior for one particular culture only
This choice correctly states the flaw.

(E) attempts to lend itself credence by unfairly labeling the position of the authors of etiquette books “absurd”
very strong language. not business-like.

unraveled · Answer

Numerous books  describe the rules of etiquette.  Usually the authors  of such books merely codify standards of behavior by classifying various behaviors as polite or rude.  However, this suggests  that there is a single, objective standard of politeness.  Clearly, standards of politeness vary from culture to culture, so it is absurd to label any one set of behaviors as correct and others as incorrect.

The reasoning in the argument is most vulnerable to criticism on the grounds that the argument

Highlighted last sentence is the conclusion.

(A) reaches a conclusion about how people  actually behave  on the basis of assertions regarding how they ought to behave - WRONG. Irrelevant.

(B) bases a generalization about all books of etiquette on the actions of a  few authors  - WRONG. 'few' is opposite.

(C) fails to justify its presumption regarding the influence of rules of etiquette on  individual behavior  - WRONG. Irrelevant.

(D) overlooks the possibility that authors of etiquette books are purporting to state what is correct behavior for  one particular culture only  - CORRECT. Standards varying from culture to culture is not inferable.

(E)  attempts to lend itself credence  by unfairly labeling the position of the authors of etiquette books “absurd” - WRONG. Nothing such can be derived from the passage.

Answer D.

mithileshk · Answer

Main flaw: 
 It  assumes  that the authors of etiquette books are trying to define a  universal standard  —
 but maybe they are  just describing  the etiquette of  their own culture !
 Thus: 
 Maybe etiquette books aren't wrong — maybe they  never claimed  to describe global rules!

Numerous books describe the rules of etiquette. Usually the authors of

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Numerous books describe the rules of etiquette. Usually the authors of

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