LSAT Explanation PT 37, S4, Q9: Cultural historian: Universal acceptance of scientific

LSAT Question Stem

The conclusion drawn by the cultural historian follows logically if which one of the following is assumed? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Sufficient Assumption question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is B. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

First, let's break down the passage and analyze the argument. The conclusion of the argument is: "Universal acceptance of scientific theories that regard human beings only as natural objects subject to natural forces outside the individual's control will inevitably lead to a general decline in morality." The premises are: "If people do not believe that they are responsible for their actions, they will feel unashamed when they act immorally" and "a widespread failure of individuals to feel ashamed of their immoral actions is bound to lead to a general moral decline."

The structure of the argument can be simplified as follows:

1. Universal acceptance of scientific theories --> humans as natural objects (Conclusion)

2. Not responsible for actions --> unashamed of immoral acts (Premise)

3. Widespread unashamed immoral acts --> general moral decline (Premise)

The question type is a Sufficient Assumption question, which asks us to find an assumption that, if true, would guarantee the conclusion logically follows from the premises.

Now let's evaluate each answer choice:

a) Science does not enable human beings to control natural forces.

This answer choice doesn't connect the premises to the conclusion. It's unrelated to the argument about responsibility and morality.

b) Human beings who regard themselves only as natural objects will as a result lose their sense of responsibility for their actions.

This answer choice connects the conclusion (humans as natural objects) to the premises (not responsible for actions) and helps bridge the gap in the argument. If humans who regard themselves as natural objects lose their sense of responsibility, it supports the idea that universal acceptance of such scientific theories will lead to a general moral decline.

c) People who have a sense of shame for their moral transgressions will feel responsible for their actions.

This answer choice doesn't connect the conclusion to the premises. It's a restatement of one of the premises (not responsible for actions --> unashamed of immoral acts) but doesn't address the issue of humans as natural objects or the connection to scientific theories.

d) Some scientific theories hold that human beings are not responsible for their actions.

This answer choice doesn't guarantee the conclusion. It merely states that some scientific theories hold that humans are not responsible for their actions, but it doesn't connect this to the universal acceptance of such theories or the idea of humans as natural objects.

e) Scientific explanations that regard human beings as in some respects independent of the laws of nature will not lead to a general decline in morality.

This answer choice doesn't prove the conclusion. It's almost a mistaken reversal of the conclusion and doesn't provide the link between the conclusion and the premises.

Therefore, the correct answer is B. It connects the conclusion to the premises and bridges the gap in the argument, guaranteeing that the conclusion logically follows from the premises.