LSAT Explanation PT 42, S4, Q23: Columnist: Even if the primary purpose
LSAT Question Stem
Which one of the following, if true, most strengthens the columnist's argument?
Logical Reasoning Question Type
This is a Strengthen question.
Correct Answer
The correct answer to this question is E.
LSAT Question Complete Explanation
First, let's analyze the argument in the passage and identify its structure. The columnist is arguing that university education should emphasize the liberal arts rather than technical training, even if the primary purpose of education is to make students employable. The argument is structured as follows:
Premise #1: Liberal arts education fosters reasoning skills that allow us to adapt to new challenges.
Premise #2: The primary purpose of university education is to make students employable.
Sub-conclusion #1a: Liberal arts education allows us to perform jobs for which we have no specialized training (this follows from Premise #1).
Main conclusion: Education should emphasize the liberal arts.
Now, let's come up with an "Evaluate" question about the argument: "Do technical training programs lack the development of reasoning skills that are necessary for adapting to new challenges and performing jobs without specialized training?"
The question type for this problem is Strengthen, so we are looking for an answer choice that strengthens the columnist's argument.
Answer choice (A): This choice does not strengthen the argument because it does not address the reasoning skills or adaptability that the columnist argues are gained from a liberal arts education.
Answer choice (B): This choice weakens the argument by suggesting that technical training is sufficient for finding jobs. It does not strengthen the columnist's argument for emphasizing liberal arts education.
Answer choice (C): This choice is not relevant to the argument as it discusses the personal interest of having different jobs, rather than the reasoning skills and adaptability gained from a liberal arts education.
Answer choice (D): This choice does not strengthen the argument because it addresses the importance of general understanding over practical skills, rather than the reasoning skills and adaptability gained from a liberal arts education.
Answer choice (E): This is the correct answer choice. By stating that technical training does not help students acquire reasoning skills, it supports the columnist's argument that liberal arts education is better suited for adapting to new challenges and performing jobs without specialized training.