LSAT Explanation PT 40, S1, Q19: Anger in response to insults is

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following, if assumed, enables the argument's conclusion to be properly drawn? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Sufficient Assumption question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is C. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

The question type for this problem is a Sufficient Assumption question, which asks us to identify an assumption that, if true, would guarantee the conclusion of the argument.

Let's first analyze the argument in the passage. The author concludes that anger in response to insults is unreasonable. The reasoning provided is that insults are merely assertions about someone's undesirable characteristics, and if the assertion is false, the insulted party should feel pity, and if it is true, they should feel gratitude.

To better understand this argument, let's use a simple example. Imagine someone insults you by saying you're terrible at cooking. If this statement is false, you should pity the insulter for their ignorance. If it's true, you should be grateful for the useful information about your cooking skills.

The argument's structure can be labeled as follows:

- Premise: Insults are merely assertions about someone's undesirable characteristics.

- Premise: If the assertion is false, the insulted party should feel pity.

- Premise: If the assertion is true, the insulted party should feel gratitude.

- Conclusion: Anger in response to insults is unreasonable.

An "Evaluate" question for this argument could be: "Is it possible for someone to feel both anger and pity or gratitude simultaneously?"

Now, let's analyze each answer choice:

a) Actions prompted by ignorance do not warrant hostile reactions.

This answer choice is not sufficient to guarantee the conclusion. It addresses actions prompted by ignorance only, leaving us unsure whether actions evoking gratitude would warrant anger or not.

b) Anger is an unreasonable response to useful information.

This answer choice is also not sufficient to guarantee the conclusion. It addresses only our response to useful information, leaving us unsure whether actions evoking pity should warrant anger or not.

c) Anger is an unreasonable response to any action that should prompt pity or gratitude.

This answer choice is correct. It fills the gap in the argument by stating that anger is unreasonable in response to actions prompting pity or gratitude, thus guaranteeing the conclusion that anger in response to insults is unreasonable.

d) Gratitude and pity are reasonable responses to some forms of hostile or insensitive behavior.

This answer choice is incorrect because it merely restates the premises of the argument and does not guarantee the conclusion.

e) Pity is the only reasonable reaction to people with undesirable characteristics.

This answer choice is irrelevant to proving the conclusion and is incorrect, as it doesn't address the relationship between anger, pity, and gratitude in response to insults.