Exam LSAT Section 1 Logical Reasoning topic 1 question 336 discussion

Actual exam question from Test Prep's LSAT Section 1 Logical Reasoning

Question #: 336
Topic #: 1

[All LSAT Section 1 Logical Reasoning Questions]

Some vegetarians have argued that there are two individually sufficient reasons for not eating meatone based on health considerations, and the other based on the aversion to living at the expense of other conscious creatures. But suppose that eating meat were essential to good health for humans. Then it would be less clear that an aversion to living at the expense of other conscious creatures is enough of a reason to stop eating meat.
Which one of the following most accurately describes the role played in the argument by the supposition that eating meat is essential to good health?

A. It is used to disprove the vegetarian position that we should not eat meat,
B. It is used to show that the two types of reasons cited in favor of vegetarianism are independent.
C. It is used to disprove the claim that a vegetarian diet is healthy.
D. It is used to weaken the claim that the consciousness of animals is a sufficient reason for not eating meat.
E. It is used to show that there is no sufficient reason for not eating meat.

Show Suggested Answer

Suggested Answer: D 🗳️
Heres a Role of a Statement question, which means that we have to focus on the context of a particular idea; in this case, a supposition. Were given two independent sufficient reasons vegetarians advance for not eating meat: it’s not healthy, and it’s not good to live at the expense of other creatures. "Sufficient" here is meant to imply that either reason can standalone as a reason to avoid meat. But suppose eating meat were essential to good health, says the author.
"Then…"— well, how convenient! The author follows the supposition in question with the word "Then," which clearly signals that what’s coming up next must be the reason the supposition was included. Then, claims, the author, it wouldnt be as clear that the other reason, the aversion to living at other creatures expense, would be a sufficient reason to avoid meat. So by casting doubt on one reason, the author tries to weaken the other reason as well. Thats choice D.

by [deleted] at March 9, 2025, 1:43 p.m.

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