LSAT Explanation PT 28, S3, Q18: The human brain and its associated

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following is a principle that would, if valid, provide the strongest justification for the reasoning above? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Principle question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is C. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

First, let's break down the argument in the passage:

Premise: "The human brain and its associated mental capacities evolved to assist self-preservation."

Intermediate Conclusion: "The capacity to make aesthetic judgments is an adaptation to past environments in which humans lived."

Main Conclusion: "An individual's aesthetic judgments must be evaluated in terms of the extent to which they promote the survival of that individual."

The argument is essentially saying that since the human brain and its mental capacities evolved for self-preservation, and the capacity to make aesthetic judgments is one of those adaptations, we should evaluate aesthetic judgments based on how well they promote an individual's survival.

To make this more relatable, let's use an example: Imagine that early humans developed the ability to appreciate the beauty of a safe, sheltered cave. This aesthetic judgment would have helped them survive by encouraging them to seek out and live in such caves.

Now let's create an "Evaluate" question for this argument: "Do aesthetic judgments actually contribute to an individual's survival?"

The question type for this problem is Principle, so we are looking for a principle that would provide the strongest justification for the reasoning in the passage.

Let's analyze the answer choices:

a) This choice talks about all human adaptations being based on the brain and mental capacities, but it doesn't address the main point of the argument, which is evaluating aesthetic judgments based on their contribution to survival. So, this choice is not the best justification for the reasoning.

b) This choice is out of scope because it discusses human capacities that don't contribute to the biological success of the species, whereas the argument is about evaluating aesthetic judgments based on their contribution to an individual's survival.

c) This choice is the correct answer because it states that if something develops to serve a given function (in this case, promoting survival), then it should be judged based on how well it serves that function. This principle aligns with the main conclusion of the argument and provides strong justification for the reasoning.

d) This choice is out of scope because it talks about judgments that depend on individual preference or taste not being able to be evaluated as true or false. The argument is about evaluating aesthetic judgments based on their contribution to survival, not whether they are true or false.

e) This choice is also out of scope because it talks about valuing anything that enhances the proliferation of a species. The argument is focused on evaluating aesthetic judgments in terms of their contribution to an individual's survival, not the proliferation of the entire species.

In conclusion, the correct answer is C, as it provides the strongest justification for the reasoning in the passage by stating that if something develops to serve a given function (promoting survival), then it should be judged based on how well it serves that function. This aligns with the main conclusion of the argument and supports the reasoning presented.