LSAT Explanation PT 44, S4, Q13: Whether a machine performs its intended

LSAT Question Stem

The reasoning above conforms most closely to which one of the following propositions? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Strengthen question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is D. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

The question type for this problem is Strengthen, and we are asked to find the proposition that best aligns with the reasoning in the passage.

First, let's break down the argument in the passage. The passage states that it is easy to see whether a machine performs its intended function, while recognizing excellence in art requires a rare subtlety of perception. This difference in evaluation leads to engineers usually maintaining their composure when their work is being evaluated, while artists tend to become anxious. The structure of the argument is as follows:

Premise: Evaluating a machine's performance is straightforward.

Premise: Evaluating excellence in art requires rare subtlety of perception.

Conclusion: Engineers are less anxious about having their work evaluated than artists.

To make this more accessible, let's use a simple example. Imagine a toaster and a painting. It's easy to tell if the toaster works by seeing if it toasts bread, while evaluating the painting's excellence is more subjective and requires a refined sense of art appreciation. Therefore, the toaster maker is less anxious about having their work evaluated than the painter.

An "Evaluate" question for this argument would be: "Are there any other factors that might influence the anxiety levels of engineers and artists when their work is being evaluated?"

Now, let's discuss the answer choices:

a) This answer choice discusses the personalities of artists and engineers, which is not directly related to the argument. The argument is about their anxiety levels during evaluation, not their general personalities. This choice is incorrect.

b) The passage does not discuss the value of a machine or artwork being dependent on the feelings of their creators. It focuses on the ease of evaluation and the anxiety levels of the creators. This choice is incorrect.

c) While it might be true that different standards should be used to evaluate the work of engineers and artists, this answer choice does not address the anxiety levels of the creators during evaluation, which is the main focus of the argument. This choice is incorrect.

d) This is the correct answer choice. It aligns with the principle that when the success of a work can be easily ascertained, the creator is less anxious about its evaluation. This principle explains why engineers are less anxious about evaluations than artists.

e) The passage does not compare the confidence levels of different evaluators, but rather the anxiety levels of creators (engineers and artists) during evaluation. This answer choice is not relevant to the argument and is incorrect.