LSAT Explanation PT 38, S1, Q19: Essayist: Only happiness is intrinsically valuable;

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following most logically completes the final sentence of the essayist's argument? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Most Strongly supported question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is C. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

First, let's analyze the passage and summarize its main points. The essayist argues that only happiness is intrinsically valuable, meaning it has value in and of itself. Other things are valuable only insofar as they contribute to happiness. Some philosophers challenge this idea, suggesting that we value happiness only when it is deserved, which implies that there might be something else besides happiness that has intrinsic value. The essayist counters this argument by stating that the happiness people deserve is determined by the amount of happiness they bring to others.

To simplify this, imagine a scenario where you have two friends, Alice and Bob. Alice always tries to make others happy, so according to the essayist, she deserves happiness. Bob, on the other hand, doesn't care about others' happiness, so he doesn't deserve happiness. The essayist argues that even the concept of "deserving" happiness is based on happiness itself (how much happiness one brings to others), so happiness remains the only intrinsically valuable thing.

Now let's look at the question type, which is a Most Strongly Supported (MSS) question. It asks us to find the answer choice that most logically completes the final sentence of the essayist's argument.

a) The passage doesn't suggest that the notion of people deserving happiness is incoherent. In fact, it argues that deserving happiness is determined by the happiness one brings to others. So, this answer choice is not correct.

b) The passage doesn't discuss how much people value happiness or whether they overestimate its value. The focus is on the intrinsic value of happiness and the concept of deserving happiness. So, this answer choice is not correct.

c) This answer choice states that the judgment that a person deserves to be happy is itself to be understood in terms of happiness. This aligns with the essayist's argument that deserving happiness is determined by the happiness one brings to others. Therefore, this answer choice is correct.

d) While the passage does discuss deserving happiness, it doesn't mention any assurances of happiness or any specific ways to achieve it. The focus is on the intrinsic value of happiness and how it relates to deserving happiness. So, this answer choice is not correct.

e) The passage doesn't discuss whether a truly bad person can be happy or not. The focus is on the intrinsic value of happiness and the concept of deserving happiness. So, this answer choice is not correct.

In conclusion, the correct answer is C, as it best aligns with the essayist's argument that the judgment of deserving happiness is based on happiness itself (how much happiness one brings to others).