LSAT Explanation PT 42, S2, Q4: In his book, published in 1892,

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following, if true, most 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

Let's first analyze the argument in the passage. The passage is structured as follows:

Premise 1: Grey used the same metaphor that Jordan used in her book.

Premise 2: The metaphor is so unusual that there is little chance that two different people independently created it.

Conclusion: It is highly likely that Grey read Jordan's book.

The question is asking us to weaken the argument, which means we need to find an answer choice that undermines the conclusion or the relationship between the premises and the conclusion.

An "Evaluate" question for this argument could be: "Is there any other possible source from which both Grey and Jordan could have obtained the unusual metaphor?"

Now let's discuss each answer choice:

a) A text that was probably known to both Jordan and Grey was published in 1860 and also contained the same unusual metaphor.

This answer choice weakens the argument by suggesting that both Grey and Jordan could have obtained the unusual metaphor from a third source, the 1860 text. This undermines the conclusion that Grey must have read Jordan's book. Therefore, this is the correct answer.

b) The passage in Grey's book that employs the unusual metaphor expresses an idea that bears little relation to any ideas expressed in Jordan's book.

This answer choice does not explain where Grey obtained the unusual metaphor, so it doesn't weaken the argument.

c) Both Grey's book and Jordan's book were written for the same audience.

This answer choice is irrelevant to the argument, as it doesn't address the origin of the unusual metaphor.

d) Jordan used the same metaphor in a work that she wrote in 1894 and published in 1895.

This answer choice doesn't explain where Grey got the metaphor, so it doesn't weaken the argument.

e) According to most scholars, Grey was generally a more inventive writer than Jordan and developed many original metaphors.

This answer choice doesn't address whether Grey stole this particular unusual metaphor, so it doesn't weaken the argument.

In conclusion, the correct answer is A, as it provides an alternative explanation for the origin of the unusual metaphor, thus weakening the argument that Grey must have read Jordan's book.