LSAT Explanation PT 42, S4, Q18: Nutritionist: Because humans have evolved very

LSAT Question Stem

The claim that humans are still biologically adapted to a diet of wild foods plays which one of the following roles in the nutritionist's argument? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Method of Reasoning question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is D. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

This LSAT problem presents us with a nutritionist's argument regarding the human diet. To better understand the argument, let's break it down into its components and analyze its structure:

1. Humans have evolved very little since the development of agriculture. (Premise)

2. Therefore, humans are still biologically adapted to a diet of wild foods. (Intermediate Conclusion)

3. Straying from this diet has often resulted in chronic illness and other physical problems. (Premise)

4. Thus, the more our diet consists of wild foods, the healthier we will be. (Main Conclusion)

The question asks us to identify the role of the claim that humans are still biologically adapted to a diet of wild foods in the nutritionist's argument.

Now, let's discuss each answer choice:

a) This answer choice is incorrect because the claim that humans are still biologically adapted to a diet of wild foods is not only supported by the claim that straying from this diet has resulted in chronic illness and other physical problems but also by the premise that humans have evolved very little since the development of agriculture.

b) This answer choice is incorrect because the claim that humans are still biologically adapted to a diet of wild foods is not a premise without justification. It is supported by the premise that humans have evolved very little since the development of agriculture.

c) This answer choice is incorrect because the claim that humans are still biologically adapted to a diet of wild foods is not a phenomenon for which the main conclusion is cited as an explanation. Instead, this claim serves as an intermediate conclusion, which is supported by a premise and, in turn, supports the main conclusion.

d) This answer choice is correct because the claim that humans are still biologically adapted to a diet of wild foods serves as an intermediate conclusion in the argument. It is supported by the premise that humans have evolved very little since the development of agriculture and, in turn, supports the main conclusion that the more our diet consists of wild foods, the healthier we will be.

e) This answer choice is incorrect because the claim that humans are still biologically adapted to a diet of wild foods is not a premise offered in support of the claim that humans have evolved very little since the development of agriculture. Instead, it is an intermediate conclusion that is supported by this premise.