LSAT Explanation PT 35, S4, Q11: One approach to the question of

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following principles, if valid, most helps to justify the reasoning above? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Principle question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is B. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

Let's first analyze the argument in the passage. The passage discusses an approach to determine which objects in science are real. The approach suggests that real objects are all and only those entities posited by the most explanatorily powerful theory of the science. However, the passage argues that this approach is flawed because most scientific theories contain entities posited solely on theoretical grounds.

To understand this better, let's use a simple example. Imagine we have a scientific theory that explains the behavior of a certain animal. This theory is considered the most explanatorily powerful in its field. However, it also contains entities that are posited only on theoretical grounds, meaning they are not based on empirical evidence or observations. The passage argues that designating these entities as real just because they are part of the most explanatorily powerful theory is flawed.

Now, let's break down the argument's structure:

Premise: Most scientific theories contain entities posited solely on theoretical grounds.

Conclusion: The approach of designating real objects as all and only those entities posited by the most explanatorily powerful theory of the science is flawed.

An "Evaluate" question for this argument would be: "Do the entities posited solely on theoretical grounds in the most explanatorily powerful theories necessarily undermine their explanatory power?"

The question type for this problem is Principle, which asks us to identify a principle that most helps to justify the reasoning in the passage.

Now, let's discuss the answer choices:

a) Any object that is posited by a scientific theory and that enhances the explanatory power of that theory should be designated as real.

- This answer choice doesn't address the concern raised in the passage about entities posited solely on theoretical grounds. It doesn't help to justify the reasoning that the approach is flawed.

b) Objects posited for theoretical reasons only should never be designated as real.

- This answer choice directly addresses the concern raised in the passage about entities posited solely on theoretical grounds. By stating that such objects should never be designated as real, it helps to justify the reasoning that the approach is flawed. This is the correct answer.

c) A scientific theory should not posit any entity that does not enhance the explanatory power of the theory.

- This answer choice doesn't address the concern about entities posited solely on theoretical grounds. It also doesn't help to justify the reasoning that the approach is flawed.

d) A scientific theory should sometimes posit entities on grounds other than theoretical ones.

- This answer choice doesn't directly address the concern about entities posited solely on theoretical grounds, and it doesn't help to justify the reasoning that the approach is flawed.

e) Only objects posited by explanatorily powerful theories should be designated as real.

- This answer choice is actually in line with the approach that the passage argues is flawed. It doesn't help to justify the reasoning that the approach is flawed.

In conclusion, the correct answer is B, as it directly addresses the concern raised in the passage about entities posited solely on theoretical grounds and helps to justify the reasoning that the approach is flawed.