Resolve the paradox
58 flashcards covering Resolve the paradox for the LSAT Logical Reasoning section.
Resolving a paradox means explaining an apparent contradiction or puzzling situation that seems illogical at first glance. For example, you might encounter a scenario where two pieces of evidence conflict, like a company reporting high profits yet laying off employees. The key is to identify the core inconsistency and find a reasonable explanation that reconciles the details, often by uncovering hidden factors or assumptions. This skill helps build critical thinking, which is essential for analyzing real-world problems in law and beyond.
On the LSAT, resolving paradoxes appears in Logical Reasoning questions, typically as "Resolve the Paradox" or "Explain a Discrepancy" prompts. These questions test your ability to evaluate answer choices that bridge conflicting information, while common traps include selecting explanations that introduce new inconsistencies or overlook key evidence. Focus on the specific elements of the paradox and how choices address them directly, rather than forcing unrelated ideas to fit.
Always check if the explanation accounts for all given facts.
Terms (58)
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What is a paradox?
A paradox is a situation where two or more seemingly contradictory statements or facts appear to be true, creating an apparent contradiction that needs explanation.
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Purpose of Resolve the Paradox questions
In Resolve the Paradox questions on the LSAT, the task is to identify an answer choice that explains or resolves the apparent contradiction presented in the stimulus.
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Key elements of a paradox stimulus
A paradox stimulus typically includes two or more pieces of information that conflict, such as unexpected outcomes or inconsistencies, requiring a resolution to make them compatible.
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Role of the correct answer
The correct answer in a Resolve the Paradox question provides a new piece of information that bridges the gap between the conflicting elements, making the paradox understandable.
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Common structure of the question stem
Question stems for Resolve the Paradox often ask which answer 'most helps to resolve' or 'explains' the discrepancy, focusing on reconciling the conflicting information.
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Identifying the paradox
To identify the paradox, carefully note the conflicting elements in the stimulus, such as a result that defies expectations or two facts that seem mutually exclusive.
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Evaluating answer choices
When evaluating answer choices, check if they directly address the contradiction without introducing new inconsistencies or unrelated details.
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Necessary vs. sufficient in resolutions
In resolving a paradox, the correct answer must be sufficient to explain the contradiction, though it doesn't need to be the only possible explanation.
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Avoiding trap answers
Trap answers often restate part of the stimulus, exaggerate the paradox, or introduce irrelevant information that doesn't fully resolve the conflict.
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Paradox in scientific contexts
Scientific paradoxes on the LSAT might involve unexpected experimental results, like a theory predicting one outcome but data showing another, requiring a reconciling factor.
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Paradox in everyday scenarios
Everyday paradoxes could include social or economic situations, such as increased sales leading to decreased profits, which needs an explanation like hidden costs.
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Strategy for predicting the resolution
Before looking at answers, predict what kind of information could resolve the paradox, such as a hidden variable or exception to a rule.
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Multiple conflicting elements
Some paradoxes involve more than two elements, requiring an answer that addresses all key conflicts simultaneously.
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Subtle paradoxes
Subtle paradoxes may not be immediately obvious, often hiding in implications or assumptions within the stimulus.
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Resolving through exceptions
A common way to resolve a paradox is by introducing an exception to a general rule, explaining why the unusual case occurred.
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Resolving through additional factors
Answers might resolve paradoxes by adding unknown factors, like external influences that alter expected outcomes.
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Timing for these questions
Allocate about 1-1.5 minutes per Resolve the Paradox question, focusing on quickly pinpointing the core conflict.
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Common wrong answer types
Wrong answers often fail to resolve the paradox completely, such as those that only explain one side or create a new contradiction.
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Paradox involving statistics
Statistical paradoxes might show data that contradicts intuition, like a correlation that seems impossible without an underlying cause.
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Paradox involving human behavior
Behavioral paradoxes could involve people acting against their interests, resolved by factors like emotions or misinformation.
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Worked example: Basic paradox
In a basic example, a company reports higher production but lower quality; the resolution might be that they rushed production due to deadlines.
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Advanced paradox resolution
Advanced resolutions often require inferring indirect connections, such as how a policy change indirectly affects multiple variables.
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Eliminating irrelevant answers
Eliminate answers that don't directly relate to the paradox, such as those discussing causes not mentioned in the stimulus.
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Paradox in historical contexts
Historical paradoxes might involve events that seem illogical, like a war starting despite peace talks, resolved by secret agreements.
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Using process of elimination
In Resolve the Paradox, use process of elimination by checking if each answer resolves the specific conflict without leaving gaps.
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Resolving through timing issues
Some paradoxes are resolved by considering the sequence of events, such as something happening later than expected.
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Paradox involving assumptions
Answers might resolve paradoxes by challenging unstated assumptions in the stimulus, revealing they don't always hold.
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Depth of explanation needed
The correct answer must provide a plausible and complete explanation, not just a partial one that still leaves the paradox intact.
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Paradox in economic scenarios
Economic paradoxes could include situations like saving more leading to recession, resolved by concepts like decreased demand.
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Strategy for difficult questions
For harder Resolve the Paradox questions, break down the stimulus into its components and map how answers interact with each.
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Resolving through definitions
Sometimes, paradoxes are resolved by clarifying definitions, such as distinguishing between similar but distinct terms.
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Paradox with multiple resolutions
While multiple answers might seem possible, only one fully resolves the paradox as presented in the stimulus.
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Common LSAT paradox themes
LSAT paradoxes often theme around science, business, psychology, or social issues, testing logical reasoning skills.
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Avoiding overcomplication
Don't overcomplicate resolutions; the correct answer is typically straightforward and directly addresses the conflict.
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Paradox in environmental issues
Environmental paradoxes might involve conservation efforts harming wildlife, resolved by unintended consequences like habitat disruption.
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Example of a resolved paradox
For instance, a town has more rain but less flooding; the resolution could be improved drainage systems handling the water.
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Nuance in answer choices
Advanced questions may have answers that partially resolve but fail in subtlety, requiring precise evaluation.
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Resolving through causality
Answers often resolve paradoxes by establishing correct causal relationships that were missing or misunderstood.
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Paradox involving perceptions
Perceptual paradoxes might involve how people misinterpret data, resolved by actual versus perceived outcomes.
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Strategy for answer verification
After selecting an answer, verify it by re-reading the stimulus to ensure the paradox is fully explained.
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Paradox in legal contexts
Legal paradoxes could show a law intended to help but causing harm, resolved by implementation flaws or exceptions.
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Balancing evidence in answers
Effective resolutions balance the evidence from the stimulus without ignoring any key facts.
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Resolving through quantification
Some paradoxes are resolved by quantifying elements, like realizing the difference is too small to matter.
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Paradox with conditional statements
Paradoxes involving if-then statements might be resolved by identifying exceptions to the conditions.
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Advanced trap: Partial resolution
A common advanced trap is an answer that resolves part of the paradox but leaves another aspect unaddressed.
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Example: Economic paradox
In an example, a country exports more but its currency weakens; the resolution might be increased debt from exports.
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Resolving through external influences
Answers may introduce external factors, like global events, that explain the paradoxical outcome.
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Paradox in psychological studies
Psychological paradoxes could involve behaviors that contradict theories, resolved by individual differences.
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Strategy for time management
If stuck, quickly eliminate obvious wrongs and guess, as Resolve the Paradox questions reward logical insight.
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Resolving through redefinition
Sometimes, paradoxes are resolved by redefining a key term in the stimulus to fit the context.
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Paradox involving trends
Trends that reverse unexpectedly might be resolved by identifying intervening variables.
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Nuance: Indirect effects
Advanced resolutions often involve indirect effects, where one action influences another in an unforeseen way.
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Example: Scientific paradox
A plant grows faster in shade despite needing sun; the resolution could be reduced competition from other plants.
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Avoiding confirmation bias
In answering, avoid favoring choices that confirm preconceptions; focus on what actually resolves the paradox.
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Paradox in social dynamics
Social paradoxes might show groups uniting against a common enemy but then fracturing, resolved by post-threat divisions.
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Final verification step
Always check that the chosen answer doesn't create a new paradox or contradiction with the stimulus.
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Resolving through probability
Some paradoxes involve low-probability events, resolved by explaining why they occurred in this instance.
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Paradox in technological advances
Technological paradoxes could include innovations that solve one problem but create another, like automation reducing jobs.