LSAT Explanation PT 43, S2, Q2: Essayist: Earth is a living organism,

LSAT Question Stem

The assertion that insects do not literally breathe plays which one of the following roles in the essayist's argument? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is an Argument Part question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is A. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

This LSAT problem is an Argument Part (AP) question, which asks us to identify the role played by a particular assertion within the essayist's argument. In this case, we need to determine the role of the assertion that insects do not literally breathe in the essayist's argument about Earth being a living organism.

Before we dive into the answer choices, let's briefly analyze the essayist's argument structure:

Conclusion: Earth is a living organism, composed of other organisms much as animals are composed of cells, not merely a thing upon which creatures live.

Premise 1: Earth can be said to have a metabolism and to regulate its temperature, humidity, and other characteristics, divorced from the influences of its surroundings.

Premise 2: Earth does not literally breathe, but neither do insects (they have no lungs), though they respire successfully.

Now, let's examine each answer choice in detail:

a) a reason for not rejecting Earth's status as an organism on the basis of its not breathing

This answer choice is correct. The assertion about insects not breathing serves as a counterargument to a potential objection that Earth cannot be considered a living organism because it does not breathe. By providing an example of insects, which are living organisms that do not breathe, the essayist demonstrates that not breathing should not be a reason to reject Earth's status as an organism.

b) a reason for rejecting as false the belief that Earth is a living organism

This answer choice is the opposite of what the essayist is trying to convey. The essayist uses the example of insects not breathing to support the conclusion that Earth is a living organism, not to reject it.

c) an illustration of the general claim that to be an organism, a creature must have a metabolism

While the essayist does claim that organisms, including Earth, can be said to have a metabolism, the example of insects not breathing is not given to support this claim. Instead, it is used to support the primary conclusion that Earth is a living organism.

d) an example of a type of organism whose status, like Earth's, is unclear

The essayist does not suggest that the status of insects as living organisms is unclear. In fact, the essayist assumes that insects are unquestionably living organisms and uses them as an example to support the claim that some things which do not literally breathe can be considered living organisms.

e) an illustration of a type of organism out of which Earth is composed

While it can be inferred that insects are a type of organism that composes Earth, this inference does not explain the role of the assertion that insects do not literally breathe. The correct answer choice must explain the role of this assertion, as seen in answer choice (a).

In conclusion, the correct answer choice is (a), as it accurately describes the role of the assertion that insects do not literally breathe in the essayist's argument. The assertion serves as a reason for not rejecting Earth's status as an organism on the basis of its not breathing.