LSAT Explanation PT 39, S4, Q19: It is obvious that one ought

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following is an assumption on which the 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

Let's begin by analyzing the argument in the passage. The passage argues that one ought to have a will stating how they want their estate to be distributed. The reason provided is that, according to current laws, if there is no legal will, distant relatives whom one has never even met have a greater legal right to one's estate than one's beloved friends do. The structure of the argument can be broken down as follows:

Premise: In the absence of a legal will, distant relatives have a greater legal right to one's estate than beloved friends.

Conclusion: One ought to have a will stating how they want their estate to be distributed.

An "Evaluate" question for this argument could be: "Do people care about how their estates are distributed after their death?"

Now, let's discuss the question type and the answer choices. The question type is Necessary Assumption, which asks us to identify an assumption on which the argument depends.

a) No one wants his or her estate to go to someone he or she has never met.

This answer choice is too strong and not necessary for the argument. It is possible that some people do want their estates to go to someone they have never met (e.g., a charity), but the argument is focused on people who would prefer their estates to go to their beloved friends rather than distant relatives.

b) One's estate should go only to a person who is deserving.

This answer choice is out of scope. The argument is about having a will to state one's wishes for estate distribution, not about determining who is deserving.

c) Distributions of estates under current inheritance laws are unjust.

This answer choice is also out of scope. The argument is not concerned with the justice of current inheritance laws, but rather with the importance of having a will to ensure one's wishes are followed.

d) People are generally not indifferent about how their estates are distributed.

This is the correct answer. The argument depends on the assumption that people care about how their estates are distributed. If people were indifferent, there would be no need to have a will stating their wishes.

e) One's beloved friends have a greater legal right to one's estate than one's distant relatives do.

This answer choice contradicts the premise given in the passage. The passage states that, according to current laws, distant relatives have a greater legal right to one's estate than beloved friends in the absence of a will. The argument is focused on having a will to ensure one's wishes are followed, not on the legal rights of friends and relatives.

In conclusion, the correct answer is (d) because the argument depends on the assumption that people care about how their estates are distributed. Without this assumption, the argument's conclusion that one ought to have a will would not be valid.