LSAT Explanation PT 35, S4, Q16: Publicity campaigns for endangered species are

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following is an assumption on which the argument depends? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Necessary Assumption question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is A. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

First, let's break down the argument in the passage. The conclusion of the argument is: "Publicity campaigns for endangered species are unlikely to have much impact on the most important environmental problems." The premise supporting this conclusion is that it's easier to evoke sympathy for large mammals than for other organisms, such as soil microorganisms, which are crucial for large ecosystems and agriculture.

Now, let's consider an "Evaluate" question for this argument: "Do the most important environmental problems involve organisms other than large mammals?" The answer to this question would help determine whether the argument is valid or not.

The question type for this problem is a Necessary Assumption question, asking us to identify an assumption on which the argument depends. Let's analyze each answer choice:

a) The most important environmental problems involve endangered species other than large mammals.

This answer choice correctly identifies the assumption that the argument depends on. The argument assumes that the most important environmental problems involve organisms other than large mammals, as it suggests that publicity campaigns for endangered species (which focus on large mammals) won't have much impact on these important problems. This is the correct answer.

b) Microorganisms cannot experience pain or have other feelings.

The argument doesn't make any assumptions about the feelings of microorganisms. It focuses on the difficulty of eliciting sympathy for them compared to large mammals, not on their capacity to experience pain or other feelings. This answer choice is incorrect.

c) Publicity campaigns for the environment are the most effective when they elicit sympathy for some organism.

This answer choice is too broad and doesn't specifically address the argument's focus on endangered species campaigns and their impact on the most important environmental problems. It's possible that the most effective environmental campaigns don't involve organisms at all. This answer choice is incorrect.

d) People ignore environmental problems unless they believe the problems will affect creatures with which they sympathize.

This answer choice is too strong and doesn't accurately reflect the argument's premise. The argument states that it's more difficult to elicit sympathy for other organisms, not that it's impossible. Additionally, the argument focuses on the impact of publicity campaigns on the most important environmental problems, not on whether people ignore these problems entirely. This answer choice is incorrect.

e) An organism can be environmentally significant only if it affects large ecosystems or agriculture.

The argument uses soil microorganisms as an example of environmentally significant organisms, but it doesn't assume that only organisms affecting large ecosystems or agriculture can be significant. This answer choice is incorrect.

In conclusion, the correct answer choice is (a), as it identifies the assumption that the most important environmental problems involve endangered species other than large mammals. This assumption is necessary for the argument to be valid.