LSAT Explanation PT 19, S4, Q8: Based on data collected from policyholders,

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following is an assumption on which the argument relies? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Necessary Assumption question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is E. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

The question type for this problem is Necessary Assumption, and we are asked to identify an assumption on which the argument relies.

Let's first summarize and analyze the argument in the passage:

Premise: Life insurance companies have developed tables that list standard weight ranges for various heights based on data collected from policyholders.

Premise: Policyholders whose weight fell within the range given for their height lived longer than those whose weight fell outside their given range.

Conclusion: If people whose weight falls outside their given range modified their weight to fall within that range, their overall life expectancies would improve.

The argument is assuming that there is a causal relationship between falling within the standard weight range and having a longer life expectancy. To better understand this, let's consider a simple example. Imagine that there is a correlation between wearing a certain brand of shoes and having a higher income. This does not necessarily mean that wearing those shoes causes people to have a higher income; there could be other factors at play, such as the shoes being more expensive and only affordable to those with higher incomes.

An "Evaluate" question for this argument could be: "Does modifying one's weight to fall within the standard weight range directly lead to an improvement in overall life expectancy?"

Now, let's discuss each answer choice:

a) This answer choice is not relevant to the argument. The argument is about whether modifying weight would improve life expectancy, not whether people would be willing to do so.

b) The intent of life insurance companies in creating the tables is not a necessary assumption for the argument. Even if the companies did not intend for the tables to be used as guidelines, the tables could still provide useful information about the relationship between weight and life expectancy.

c) This answer choice could actually weaken the argument if it were true. Including data from accidental deaths might make the causal connection between weight and life expectancy less clear. However, the argument does not need to assume this in order to be valid.

d) This answer choice is not a necessary assumption for the argument. Even if life insurance policyholders have longer overall life expectancies than the general population, this could be due to factors other than weight, such as better access to healthcare or healthier lifestyles.

e) This is the correct answer choice. The argument assumes that efforts to modify one's weight to fall within the standard weight range would not have negative effects on health that would counteract the potential benefits in terms of life expectancy. If modifying weight did cause significant health problems, the conclusion of the argument would be undermined.