LSAT Explanation PT 44, S4, Q24: Some people have maintained that private

LSAT Question Stem

The proposition that private ownership of the means of production ultimately destroys any society that sanctions it plays which one of the following roles in the argument above? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is an Argument Part question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is C. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

This LSAT problem is an Argument Part (AP) question, which asks us to identify the role of a specific proposition within the argument presented in the passage. In this case, we need to determine the role of the proposition that private ownership of the means of production ultimately destroys any society that sanctions it.

The argument in the passage can be summarized as follows: Some people argue that private ownership of the means of production destroys less advanced societies that need to share resources to survive. However, the author contends that technologically advanced societies require innovation that comes only from private ownership. Therefore, the author concludes that people who argue against private ownership are wrong when it comes to advanced societies.

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

a) This choice is incorrect because the proposition is actually presented as more relevant to less technologically advanced societies than to more technologically advanced societies, not equally applicable to both.

b) This choice is also incorrect because the argument is set partially against the hypothesis and does not offer an explanation for its widespread acceptance.

c) This is the correct answer choice. The argument in the passage suggests that the hypothesis is inapplicable to high-tech societies but makes sense if the society is more dependent upon sharing resources than upon its advanced technology.

d) This choice is incorrect because, according to the reasoning in the passage, the contention referenced may be applicable to less technologically advanced societies, not incompatible with the needs of any society.

e) This choice is incorrect because the argument in the passage contends that the generalization is always untrue for technologically advanced societies. This choice says the generalization can be true for any society, which contradicts the stimulus. Additionally, the passage focuses on the development, not the introduction, of new technologies.

In conclusion, the correct answer choice is (C), as it accurately reflects the role of the proposition in the argument presented in the passage.