Test Your Logical Reasoning

Picture yourself sitting in the jury box. A lawyer is making their case. They’re confident, articulate, persuasive. But there’s a problem; something feels off. If you were in this situation, would you be able to tell the difference between sound logic and clever manipulation? Could you spot where the argument breaks down?

In our last class, we explored the fundamentals of logical reasoning—modus ponens, hypothetical syllogisms, and how fallacies can quietly slip past our defenses. Today, you’ll put that knowledge to the test. Using LSAT analytical reasoning problems, you'll be presented with arguments that look polished but may hide faulty logic. Your job is to evaluate them like a good juror should: not by how convincing they sound, but by how well they hold up under scrutiny.

It won’t always be easy. Sometimes, more than one answer will seem right. But the more you practice, the more you’ll realize that logical reasoning isn’t just an academic exercise—it’s a defense against being misled. And that’s a skill worth sharpening.

Text: Julia Galef, The Scout Mindset, chs. 4 and 5, “Signs of a Scout” and “Noticing Bias”

Suggested reading: Julia Galef, The Scout Mindset, ch. 1 and 3, “Two Types of Thinking” and “Why Truth is More Valuable Than We Realize”