LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following statements, if true, most seriously weakens the argument? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Weaken question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is A. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

The question type for this problem is Weaken, and our task is to find an answer choice that undermines the conclusion of the argument.

The argument in the passage states that synesthesiacs have senses that do not respect the usual boundaries between the five recognized senses, as they experience an overlap between them. The conclusion is that these individuals have senses that do not respect the usual boundaries between the five recognized senses.

An "Evaluate" question for this argument could be: "Is the overlap of sensory experiences in synesthesiacs due to the actual merging of their senses or due to other factors?"

Now, let's discuss each answer choice:

Answer choice (A): This is the correct answer. If synesthesiacs have a general, systematic impairment in their ability to use and understand words, it might not be that their senses overlap, but rather that they lack the ability to properly express themselves. In this case, their claim to taste a banana and taste blue might not be a reflection of that actually occurring but rather a reflection of the words they use to describe taste. This would undermine the conclusion that the senses of synesthesiacs do overlap.

Answer choice (B): This answer choice is not correct because it does not provide enough information to determine what role, if any, other senses play in the sensory overlap in synesthesiacs. The existence of other senses does not necessarily weaken the conclusion that synesthesiacs have overlapping senses.

Answer choice (C): This is an incorrect answer choice. The fact that sensory experiences overlap in synesthesiacs in a definite pattern does not weaken the argument. Instead, it could be seen as supporting the conclusion since it suggests that the overlap is a consistent phenomenon among synesthesiacs.

Answer choice (D): This answer choice is out of the scope of the argument. The presence of synesthetic phenomenon in legends of various cultures does not provide any information about the actual operation of synesthesiacs' senses and whether they respect the usual boundaries.

Answer choice (E): This answer choice is also incorrect. The fact that synesthesiacs can be temporarily rid of their synesthetic experiences by the use of drugs does not necessarily weaken the conclusion. If anything, it might strengthen the argument by indicating that synesthesiacs are experiencing some type of phenomenon. However, it does not provide any information to suggest that their senses respect the usual boundaries.