Common logical fallacies and reasoning errors - Straw man ar...

Learning Outcomes

After reading this article, you will understand what straw man arguments are and how they appear in LSAT Logical Reasoning questions. You will be able to identify when an argument misrepresents another’s position, explain why the reasoning is flawed, and avoid common traps that exploit distortion. You will also apply this knowledge directly to flaw and weaken question types.

LSAT Syllabus

For LSAT, you are required to understand how distortions of arguments can undermine logical reasoning. This article focuses your revision on:

• Identifying straw man fallacies within an argument or critic’s response
• Recognizing answer choices that accurately describe or exploit the straw man error
• Applying critical reasoning to questions that involve misrepresentation or rebuttal of positions
• Avoiding attractive wrong answers that subtly or blatantly distort the original argument’s position

Test Your Knowledge

Attempt these questions before reading this article. If you find some difficult or cannot remember the answers, remember to look more closely at that area during your revision.

1. Which of the following best defines a straw man fallacy?
   1. Attacking the weakest form of an opponent’s position
   2. Introducing new evidence to counter a premise
   3. Ignoring all counterarguments
   4. Refuting a position by modifying your own claim
2. In an LSAT flaw question, which answer choice most likely illustrates a straw man?
   1. The argument attacks a distorted version of the opponent’s actual view.
   2. The argument relies on an unreliable statistical sample.
   3. The author incorrectly equates necessity with sufficiency.
   4. The argument contradicts itself.

3. True or false? Straw man fallacies are only relevant in argument-based questions, not in reading comprehension.

Introduction

Straw man arguments are a frequent source of flawed reasoning in LSAT Logical Reasoning questions. Recognizing when a respondent misrepresents or exaggerates another position is a key skill, especially for exam questions that require you to pinpoint or describe the central error. This article will walk you through the full process—definition, recognition, and application.

Key Term: straw man fallacy
A logical error where a position is misstated or exaggerated, making it easier to attack than the original argument.

Recognizing Straw Man Arguments

A straw man occurs when someone criticizes a distorted version of another person’s claim rather than the claim itself. Instead of directly responding to the actual evidence or reasoning, the argument targets an easier or extreme version.

Key Term: argument distortion
Changing, exaggerating, or simplifying an adversary’s actual position so it can be more easily criticized.

Key Term: flaw question
A question type in which the stem asks you to identify the logical error in the argument's reasoning.

When the LSAT tests this error, it typically presents two speakers. The second misstates the first’s claim or selectively emphasizes a weaker aspect, then attacks that misrepresentation.

Worked Example 1.1

Critic: The city council proposed limiting car traffic to reduce pollution. Advocate: The council clearly wants to ban all vehicles and stop everyone from driving, which is impossible in a modern society.

What is the reasoning flaw in the advocate’s response?

Answer:
The advocate attacks an exaggerated version of the council’s proposal ("ban all vehicles") instead of responding directly to the actual limitation. This is a straw man fallacy.

Why Straw Man Arguments Are Problematic

On the exam, this reasoning error weakens arguments and makes flaw/parallel flaw questions easier to solve. Attackers who use the straw man technique often never directly address the original position, so their response is logically irrelevant to the main claim.

Worked Example 1.2

Researcher: Recycling more plastics will help reduce waste.
Opponent: That policy is useless—after all, we can’t eliminate all trash and make the world perfectly clean.

What is the error here?

Answer:
The opponent misrepresents the researcher’s modest proposal as an unrealistic plan for total elimination of trash, then attacks this distortion. This misrepresentation is a straw man.

Revision Tip

When reading a question that cites a critic or opposing speaker, check which position is actually being attacked. Underline any changes in wording or scope.

Straw Man in LSAT Question Types

Straw man errors appear most often in flaw, weaken, or method of reasoning questions. You may see answer choices stating:

• “Mischaracterizes the opponent’s argument and then attacks this distortion”
• “Responds to a position by refuting a misrepresentation of it”

Worked Example 1.3

Speaker 1: We should consider increasing funding for art classes because creativity is valuable.
Speaker 2: But creativity isn’t everything. The school shouldn’t ignore students’ math and science needs entirely.

Has Speaker 1’s position been fairly represented?

Answer:
No. Speaker 1 never said creativity was the only important subject or that other subjects should be ignored. Speaker 2’s response attacks an exaggerated interpretation—another straw man fallacy.

Exam Warning

Don’t confuse criticism of an argument’s evidence with distortion of its actual claim. If a speaker addresses a point the original argument never made, it’s likely a straw man error.

Summary

Key Point Checklist

This article has covered the following key knowledge points:

• Straw man arguments misstate or exaggerate another’s claim to make rebuttal easier
• The LSAT often tests this error in flaw, parallel flaw, and method of reasoning questions
• Straw man answer choices mention “distorts,” “misrepresents,” or “responds to a version of” the original argument
• Careful reading of position changes is essential to avoid common traps

Key Terms and Concepts

• straw man fallacy
• argument distortion
• flaw question