LSAT Explanation PT 32, S4, Q23: Some vegetarians have argued that there

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following most accurately describes the role played in the argument by the supposition that eating meat is essential to good health? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Weaken question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is D. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

In this passage, the author presents an argument made by some vegetarians who claim that there are two individually sufficient reasons for not eating meat: health considerations and an aversion to living at the expense of other conscious creatures. The author then introduces a supposition, which is a hypothetical scenario: if eating meat were essential to good health for humans. The author argues that in this case, it would be less clear that the aversion to living at the expense of other conscious creatures is enough of a reason to stop eating meat.

To better understand the structure of the argument, we can label its parts as follows:

1. Premise: Some vegetarians argue that there are two individually sufficient reasons for not eating meat (health considerations and aversion to living at the expense of other conscious creatures).

2. Supposition: Suppose that eating meat were essential to good health for humans.

3. Conclusion: Then it would be less clear that an aversion to living at the expense of other conscious creatures is enough of a reason to stop eating meat.

An "Evaluate" question for this argument could be: "Is there any evidence to support the supposition that eating meat is essential to good health for humans?"

The question type of this problem is Weaken, and we are asked to identify the role played by the supposition in the argument.

Now, let's analyze each answer choice:

a) The supposition is not used to disprove the vegetarian position that we should not eat meat. Instead, it is used to cast doubt on one of the reasons provided by the vegetarians.

b) The supposition is not used to show that the two types of reasons cited in favor of vegetarianism are independent. Rather, it is used to weaken one of the reasons.

c) The supposition is not used to disprove the claim that a vegetarian diet is healthy. It only presents a hypothetical scenario where eating meat is essential to good health.

d) Correct answer. The supposition is used to weaken the claim that the consciousness of animals is a sufficient reason for not eating meat. By introducing the hypothetical scenario, the author casts doubt on the strength of this reason.

e) The supposition is not used to show that there is no sufficient reason for not eating meat. It only weakens one of the reasons provided by the vegetarians.

In conclusion, the correct answer is D, as the supposition is used to weaken the claim that the consciousness of animals is a sufficient reason for not eating meat.