LSAT Explanation PT 33, S3, Q22: If relativity theory is correct, no

LSAT Question Stem

The pattern of reasoning in which one of the following arguments is most similar to that in 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 discusses two scientific theories: relativity theory and quantum mechanics. The argument's structure is as follows:

Premise 1: If relativity theory is correct, no object can travel forward in time at a speed greater than the speed of light.

Premise 2: Quantum mechanics predicts that the tachyon, a hypothetical subatomic particle, travels faster than light.

Conclusion: Thus, if relativity theory is correct, either quantum mechanics' prediction about tachyons is erroneous or tachyons travel backward in time.

The question type is Parallel, which means we need to find an answer choice that has a similar pattern of reasoning as the argument in the passage.

Now let's go through the answer choices:

A) This answer choice discusses the origin of the English language and compares it to two different language families. However, the conclusion is not a conditional statement with an either/or component, so it doesn't follow the same pattern of reasoning as the passage.

B) This answer choice discusses a criminal case with evidence and psychological evaluation. The conclusion is about the defendant's guilt, which is a statement of fact and not a conditional statement with an either/or component. This doesn't match the pattern of reasoning in the passage.

C) This answer choice discusses modern medicine's understanding of the human brain's oxygen requirements and a witness report of a shaman surviving without oxygen. The structure is as follows:

Premise 1: According to modern medicine, the human brain can survive without oxygen only for a few minutes.

Premise 2: A reliable witness reported that a shaman has survived for an entire week buried five feet underground.

Conclusion: Thus, if modern medicine is not wrong, either the witness is mistaken or the shaman's brain did not suffer any lack of oxygen.

This answer choice matches the pattern of reasoning in the passage, with two conflicting claims and a conditional conclusion that includes an either/or component. Therefore, the correct answer is C.

D) This answer choice discusses the burial place of Alexander the Great and evidence found in Siwa, Egypt. The conclusion states that the burial place is more likely to be Siwa, which is not a conditional statement with an either/or component. This doesn't match the pattern of reasoning in the passage.

E) This answer choice discusses the big bang theory and its predictions about the expansion of the universe. The conclusion states that the universe will stop expanding, which is a statement of fact and not a conditional statement with an either/or component. This doesn't match the pattern of reasoning in the passage.

In conclusion, the correct answer is C, as it follows the same pattern of reasoning as the argument in the passage, with two conflicting claims and a conditional conclusion that includes an either/or component.