LSAT Explanation PT 32, S4, Q16: Numerous paintings and engravings representing warfare

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following is an assumption required by the argument? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Necessary Assumption question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is C. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

Let's first analyze the argument in the passage and identify its structure. The passage states:

1. Numerous paintings and engravings representing warfare can be found in remains of all civilizations going back to and including the Neolithic period (Premise).

2. No paintings or engravings of warfare are found dating from before the Neolithic period (Premise).

3. Therefore, warfare must have first developed as a result of the transition to an agricultural society (Conclusion).

The argument is essentially saying that since the first depictions of warfare appeared during the Neolithic period, warfare must have first developed during that time as a result of the transition to an agricultural society.

Now, let's come up with an "Evaluate" question about the argument. A good question would be, "Were there any instances of warfare before the first paintings and engravings of warfare were created?"

The question type for this problem is Necessary Assumption. We are asked to identify an assumption required by the argument.

Let's discuss each answer choice:

a) Paintings and engravings were the dominant forms of artistic expression during the Neolithic period.

- This choice is not necessary for the argument. The argument does not rely on the dominance of these art forms during the Neolithic period.

b) Warfare in the Neolithic period was always motivated by territorial disputes over agricultural land.

- This answer choice is too extreme with the word "always." The argument does not require that every instance of warfare during the Neolithic period was motivated by territorial disputes.

c) There was no warfare prior to the period in which paintings and engravings of warfare were first created.

- This is the correct answer. The argument assumes that the first depictions of warfare coincide with the first instances of warfare. If there was warfare before these depictions, the argument would be invalid.

d) Warfare is the inevitable result of the development of a civilization.

- This choice is too strong with the word "inevitable." The argument does not require that every civilization leads to warfare, only that the first instances of warfare resulted from the development of an agricultural society.

e) Paintings and engravings of agricultural life began to be made at the same time as paintings and engravings of warfare.

- This choice is irrelevant to the argument, as it does not discuss paintings and engravings of agriculture.

In conclusion, the correct answer is C. The argument assumes that there was no warfare prior to the period in which paintings and engravings of warfare were first created.