LSAT Explanation PT 34, S3, Q5: Columnist: A democratic society cannot exist

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following is an assumption on which the columnist's argument depends? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Necessary Assumption question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is D. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

First, let's analyze the argument in the passage. The columnist is arguing that a democratic society cannot exist without strong bonds of mutual trust among its citizens. These bonds are formed and strengthened through participation in civic organizations, political parties, and other groups outside the family. The columnist then concludes that widespread reliance on movies and electronic media for entertainment has a corrosive effect on democracy.

The argument structure is as follows:

- Premise 1: A democratic society (DS) requires strong bonds of mutual trust (SB) among citizens.

- Premise 2: Strong bonds of mutual trust (SB) are formed and strengthened through participation in civic organizations, political parties, and other groups outside the family (PCO).

- Conclusion: Widespread reliance on movies and electronic media for entertainment has a corrosive effect on democracy.

An "Evaluate" question for this argument might be, "Does reliance on movies and electronic media for entertainment negatively affect participation in civic organizations, political parties, and other groups outside the family?"

Now, let's discuss the answer choices for the question, which asks us to identify an assumption on which the columnist's argument depends. This is a Necessary Assumption question.

a) This answer choice is incorrect because it exaggerates the situation. The author does not assume that anyone would be unable to form a strong bond of trust. The argument was clear about a corrosive effect on democracy. This answer, if it were an assumption, would lead to the end of democracy. That result is too strong for the author’s conclusion.

b) The author makes no assumption regarding organizations advancing their agenda using electronic media. This answer choice is not relevant to the argument.

c) The argument is not about newspapers and print media. This answer choice is not relevant to the argument.

d) This is the correct answer. This assumption connects the new element in the conclusion (reliance on movies and electronic media for entertainment) back to the conditional relationship in the premises (strong bonds of mutual trust formed through participation in civic organizations, political parties, and other groups outside the family). If relying on movies and electronic media for entertainment makes people less likely to participate in groups outside their families, then it would indeed have a corrosive effect on democracy.

e) The author does not assume that closeness to the family is a bad thing, but that one must also participate outside the family. This answer does not suggest otherwise, and it is not an assumption of the argument.