LSAT Explanation PT 34, S2, Q22: Sociologist: Some people argue that capital

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following most accurately describes the role played in the passage by the point that capitalism and industrialization are distinct? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is an Argument Part question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is E. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

In the passage, the sociologist presents an argument about capital punishment for theft as part of the labor discipline of British capitalism. The argument is structured as follows:

Premise: Some people argue that capital punishment for theft was an essential part of the labor discipline of British capitalism.

Premise: Critics argue that more people were executed for theft in preindustrial England than were executed in England after industrialization.

Conclusion: The criticism overlooks the fact that industrialization and capitalism are two very different social phenomena, and that the latter predated the former by several centuries.

The question type is an Argument Part question, which asks us to identify the role played by a specific point in the passage. In this case, we need to determine the role of the point that capitalism and industrialization are distinct.

Now let's evaluate each answer choice:

a) This choice suggests that the distinction between capitalism and industrialization is evidence against the claim that capital punishment for theft was an essential part of the labor discipline of British capitalism. However, the passage is not presenting the distinction as evidence against the claim, but rather as a means to undermine the critics' argument. So, this choice is incorrect.

b) This choice states that the distinction directly contradicts the claim that capital punishment for theft was an essential part of the labor discipline of British capitalism. However, the passage does not present the distinction as a direct contradiction, but rather as a way to undermine the critics' argument. So, this choice is incorrect.

c) This choice claims that the distinction is an attempt to conclusively prove that capital punishment for theft was an essential part of the labor discipline of British capitalism. However, the passage does not present the distinction as a conclusive proof, but rather as a means to undermine the critics' argument. So, this choice is incorrect.

d) This choice suggests that the distinction supports the critics of the view that capital punishment for theft was an essential part of the labor discipline of British capitalism. However, the passage presents the distinction as a way to undermine the critics' argument, not to support it. So, this choice is incorrect.

e) This choice states that the distinction is an attempt to undermine the criticism cited against the claim that capital punishment for theft was an essential part of the labor discipline of British capitalism. This accurately describes the role of the point in the passage, as the sociologist uses the distinction to weaken the critics' argument by pointing out that they overlook the difference between industrialization and capitalism. Therefore, this choice is correct.

The correct answer is E.