LSAT Explanation PT 42, S4, Q2: Economist: Some sociologists argue that because

LSAT Question Stem

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

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Necessary Assumption question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is D. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

This LSAT problem is a Necessary Assumption question. We are asked to identify the assumption on which the economist's argument depends.

Let's first analyze the argument in the passage. The economist's argument has the following structure:

Premise: Some sociologists argue that capitalism weakens communal ties due to competition.

Premise: Modern capitalism requires large corporations.

Conclusion: Modern capitalism promotes, rather than weakens, communal ties.

To help understand this argument, let's use a simple example. Imagine a small town where people used to compete with each other in small businesses. Now, the town has a large corporation that employs most of the townspeople. The economist argues that this large corporation promotes communal ties, rather than weakening them.

An "Evaluate" question for this argument would be: "Do large corporations in a modern capitalist system actually promote the strength of communal ties?"

Now let's discuss each answer choice:

a) This answer choice is not necessary for the argument. Even if other economic systems fostered communal ties just as successfully as modern capitalism, the conclusion that modern capitalism promotes communal ties would still hold. Therefore, this answer choice is incorrect.

b) This answer choice weakens the argument, as it suggests that the primary purpose of modern capitalism is not to create communal ties. We need an assumption that supports the conclusion, so this answer choice is incorrect.

c) This answer choice is irrelevant to the argument. The need for corporations to develop ties to each other does not necessarily mean they promote communal ties among the people. Therefore, this answer choice is incorrect.

d) This is the correct answer choice. If having large corporations in a modern capitalist system does not promote the strength of communal ties, the conclusion would be weakened. The argument depends on this assumption to be valid.

e) The economic success of a particular system is not relevant to the argument about communal ties. This answer choice does not provide a necessary premise for the conclusion to be true and is therefore incorrect.