LSAT Explanation PT 33, S3, Q16: Curator: Since ancient times, the fine

LSAT Question Stem

The curator's argument depends on assuming which one of the following? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Necessary Assumption question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is D. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

Let's first analyze the argument in the passage. The curator starts by providing background information about the historical role of aristocracies and religious institutions in supporting the fine arts. This is not a premise or conclusion but serves as context for the argument. The curator then states a premise that contemporary societies should fulfill their obligation as stewards of cultural heritage without the assistance of aristocracies or religious institutions. The conclusion of the argument is that governments must help finance the maintenance, advancement, and enrichment of the fine arts today.

To simplify this argument, imagine a small town that historically relied on a wealthy family and a local church to fund its public park. The park is part of the town's cultural heritage, and now the town must maintain the park without the help of the wealthy family or the church. The argument concludes that the town's government should step in to provide funding for the park.

An "Evaluate" question for this argument could be: "Is maintaining the fine arts necessary for fulfilling the obligation as stewards of cultural heritage?"

Now let's discuss the question type and answer choices. This is a Necessary Assumption question, which asks us to identify the assumption that the curator's argument depends on. The correct answer is D.

A) This answer choice is not necessary for the argument. The argument is focused on the present and future role of governments in supporting the fine arts, not the past level of support.

B) This answer choice is not necessary for the argument either. The argument doesn't claim that private support will become unnecessary if governments help maintain the fine arts. It only claims that governments should step in to help finance the arts.

C) Although this answer choice may seem tempting, it is not necessary for the argument. The argument is focused on the role of contemporary governments in supporting the fine arts, not the willingness of aristocracies and religious institutions to help.

D) This is the correct answer. The argument assumes that serving as stewards of cultural heritage requires contemporary societies to help maintain the fine arts. If this assumption were not true, the conclusion that governments must help finance the fine arts would not be valid.

E) This answer choice is not necessary for the argument. The argument doesn't claim that governmental subsidies are required for the maintenance, advancement, and enrichment of the fine arts in every era. It only claims that contemporary governments should help finance the arts without the assistance of aristocracies or religious institutions.

In summary, the argument states that contemporary societies should fulfill their obligation as stewards of cultural heritage without the assistance of aristocracies or religious institutions, and therefore governments must help finance the fine arts today. The necessary assumption for this argument is that serving as stewards of cultural heritage requires contemporary societies to help maintain the fine arts (Answer choice D).