LSAT Explanation PT 40, S1, Q25: Unquestionably, inventors of useful devices deserve

LSAT Question Stem

The claim that inventors sometimes serve as their own engineers plays which one of the following roles in the argument? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Method of Reasoning question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is B. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

First, let's analyze the passage and identify the main parts of the argument. The passage is discussing the recognition that inventors and engineers receive for their work. The author believes that while inventors deserve credit for their ingenuity, engineers also deserve credit for their contribution in developing an invention. The passage states that inventors sometimes serve as their own engineers, but more often, engineers must translate an inventor's insight into something workable and useful. We can label the parts of the argument as follows:

- Premise: Inventors of useful devices deserve credit for their ingenuity.

- Premise: Engineers help develop an invention by translating an inventor's insight into something workable and useful.

- Conclusion: Engineers also deserve credit for their contribution.

The question type for this problem is Method of Reasoning (MOR), which asks us to identify the role of a specific claim in the argument. In this case, the question asks about the role of the claim that inventors sometimes serve as their own engineers.

Now, let's discuss each answer choice:

a) It separates the practical and theoretical aspects of the argument.

This answer choice is incorrect because the argument does not make a distinction between theory and practice. The author is primarily concerned with the practical problem of engineers not receiving the recognition they deserve.

b) It indicates that the problem identified in the argument does not arise in every instance.

This is the correct answer. The claim that inventors sometimes serve as their own engineers shows that the issue of engineers not receiving enough recognition does not arise in every case, since some inventors who also serve as engineers do receive credit for their work.

c) It supports an earlier statement regarding what is at issue in the argument.

This answer choice is incorrect because the claim in question is not a premise of the argument. The author does not rely on it to make their conclusion.

d) It concedes that a distinction on which the argument relies is unclear.

This answer choice may seem attractive at first, but it is incorrect. The author does concede that inventors sometimes serve as their own engineers; however, they do not concede that the distinction between inventors and engineers is unclear, only that it is not relevant in every case.

e) It introduces an alternative solution to the problem the argument is addressing.

This answer choice is incorrect because the claim in question does not propose a solution to the problem of engineers not receiving enough recognition. It simply acknowledges that the problem does not arise in every instance.

In conclusion, the correct answer is (b) because the claim that inventors sometimes serve as their own engineers indicates that the problem identified in the argument does not arise in every instance.