LSAT Explanation PT 25, S4, Q20: In some ill-considered popularizations of interesting

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following is most similar in its reasoning to the argument above? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Parallel question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is C. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

Let's first analyze the argument in the passage. The passage suggests that claiming higher apes have the capacity for language but have never used it is similar to claiming an animal has wings adequate for flight but has never thought to fly. The structure of the argument is as follows:

Premise: Higher apes have the capacity for language but have never used it.

Premise: An animal has wings adequate for flight but has never thought to fly.

Conclusion: These two scenarios are similar in their reasoning.

The question type is Parallel, which means we need to find the answer choice that has reasoning most similar to the passage's argument.

a) Arguing that there are some humans who never sleep is rather like discovering a species of lion that does not eat meat.

This answer choice is incorrect because it does not specify each agent's (humans and lions) capabilities. It only talks about what they don't do, which does not parallel the passage's argument.

b) Arguing that Earth has been visited by aliens from outer space is rather like claiming that early explorers had visited North America but never founded cities.

This answer choice is incorrect because it does not specify what aliens are capable of. It also talks about what they do instead of what they don't do, which is not similar to the passage's argument.

c) Arguing that the human brain has telekinetic powers that no humans have ever exercised is rather like arguing that some insect has legs but never uses them to walk.

This is the correct answer. Both agents (human brains and insects) have capabilities (telekinetic powers and legs for walking), but they don't use those capabilities. This parallels the passage's argument.

d) Claiming that some people raised tobacco but did not smoke it is rather like claiming that a society that knew how to brew alcohol never drank it.

This answer choice is incorrect because it changes from "some people" to "a society," which is not parallel to the passage's argument. It also focuses on what agents choose not to do with their skills, rather than their unused capabilities.

e) Arguing that not all people with cars will drive them is rather like claiming that humans invented gasoline long before they used it as fuel for transportation.

This answer choice is incorrect because the second example is about inventing something before needing it, not having a skill and choosing not to use it. The first example is closer to the passage's argument, but the overall reasoning does not match.

In conclusion, the correct answer is choice C, as it best parallels the reasoning in the passage's argument.