LSAT Explanation PT 42, S2, Q15: Technological innovation rarely serves the interests

LSAT Question Stem

The argument is most vulnerable to criticism on the grounds that it 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Flaw question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is D. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

Let's first break down the argument in the passage. The conclusion is that technological innovation rarely serves the interests of society as a whole. The premise supporting this conclusion is that those responsible for technological advances are almost without exception motivated by considerations of personal gain rather than societal benefit, as they strive to develop commercially viable technology. The argument assumes that if the motivation behind an action is personal gain, it is unlikely to produce societal benefits.

Now let's create an "Evaluate" question for this argument: "Can actions motivated by personal gain also result in benefits to society as a whole?"

The question type for this problem is Flaw, which means we need to identify the flaw in the argument.

Let's analyze each answer choice:

a) contains a premise that cannot possibly be true - This answer choice is incorrect because we do not evaluate premises in a flaw question.

b) takes for granted that technology beneficial to society as a whole cannot be commercially viable - This answer choice is incorrect because it shifts the focus from the motivation behind the technological innovation to its commercial viability. The argument is about whether a certain motivation (benefiting society) is required to achieve a certain end (benefiting society), not whether the project is viable.

c) fails to consider the possibility that actions motivated by a desire for personal gain often do not result in personal gain - This answer choice is incorrect because it does not address the gap between the premise and the conclusion. We are not concerned with whether the innovation results in personal gain. Instead, we are concerned with whether innovation motivated by personal gain can result in something other than personal gain that benefits society.

d) takes for granted that an action is unlikely to produce a certain outcome unless it is motivated by a desire to produce that outcome - This is the correct answer. The argument assumes that if the motivation behind an action is personal gain, it is unlikely to produce societal benefits. This answer choice highlights the flaw in the argument by stating that the author takes for granted that an action motivated by personal gain cannot also produce societal benefits.

e) draws a conclusion about the practical consequences of people's actions on the basis of theoretical views about what people should or should not do - This answer choice is incorrect because it is out of scope. The argument is not about what people should or should not do.

In summary, the correct answer is D, as it identifies the flaw in the argument that assumes an action motivated by personal gain is unlikely to produce societal benefits.