LSAT Explanation PT 33, S3, Q25: We are in a new industrial

LSAT Question Stem

The argument relies on which one of the following assumptions? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Necessary Assumption question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is E. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

Let's begin by analyzing the argument in the passage. The argument claims that we are in a new industrial revolution that requires management trainees to develop "action learning" from real experience within business and industry, rather than getting tied up with theory and academia. The author then points out that business schools seem unable to provide this type of learning on their own and have been slow to respond to the needs of business. As a result, the author concludes that business schools should allow business executives to set curricula for management trainees that could then be taught by academics. In this argument, the premises are the observations about the new industrial revolution and the shortcomings of business schools, and the conclusion is the recommendation to involve business executives in setting curricula.

To make the argument more relatable, let's use a simple example. Imagine a cooking school that teaches its students only about the history and theory of cooking, but never lets them practice cooking in a real kitchen. The students might struggle to become successful chefs because they lack practical experience. If professional chefs were brought in to help design the curriculum, the students might have a better chance at gaining the necessary skills.

Now, let's come up with an "Evaluate" question for this argument: "Do business executives have valuable insights that are not currently being taught by business school academics?"

The question type of this problem is Necessary Assumption, which means we need to identify an assumption the argument relies on. The correct answer is E.

Let's discuss each answer choice in detail:

A) This answer choice is incorrect because the argument doesn't assume that academics have no valuable practical experience. It only argues that they are not providing enough "action learning" for management trainees.

B) This answer choice is also incorrect because it is too extreme. The argument states that trainees in business schools study hypothetical cases "too often," but it doesn't claim that they deal only with hypothetical situations.

C) This answer choice is incorrect and actually contradicts the argument. The conclusion suggests that business executives should set curricula that could then be taught by academics, which means the argument assumes that academics are capable of teaching suitable material.

D) This answer choice is out of scope because the argument doesn't discuss academic training outside of business schools.

E) This is the correct answer. The argument assumes that today's business executives have valuable insight into business that academics in business schools do not have. This assumption is necessary because, without it, there would be no reason to involve business executives in setting curricula for management trainees.

In summary, the argument assumes that business executives have valuable insights that are not currently being taught by business school academics, which is why they should be involved in setting curricula for management trainees. Answer choice E is the correct answer for this Necessary Assumption question.