LSAT 108 | Section 2 | Logical Reasoning: Q10

LR Question 10 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: Mario: The field of cognitive science …

QUESTION TYPE: Method of Reasoning

ARGUMENTS:

MARIO’S ARGUMENT: An autonomous discipline has a domain of inquiry all its own

• But cognitive science addresses issues also addressed by other disciplines
• So, cognitive science isn’t genuinely autonomous

LUCY’S ARGUMENT: Mario, you think philosophy is a genuinely autonomous discipline

• Philosophy also addresses issues addressed by other disciplines
• So you already believe in at least one discipline that is autonomous despite sharing subject matter with other disciplines
• So your principle can’t be right. Instead, autonomy comes from having a unique methodology, not a unique subject matter.

ANALYSIS: Lucy basically says:

Your conclusion about cognitive science relies on Principle X.

But you also believe something else that contradicts Principle X.

Lucy isn’t proving cognitive science is autonomous. She’s showing that Mario’s own beliefs are inconsistent with the rule he’s using.

___________

1. She never questions Mario’s expertise.
2. She doesn’t say Mario confuses “field of study” and “autonomous discipline.” She attacks his criterion for autonomy.
3. CORRECT. Mario’s principle is that disciplines must have unique subject matter. But Mario also believes that philosophy is autonomous even though it shares issues with other disciplines. Those beliefs are incompatible.
4. Lucy never disputes that cognitive science overlaps with other disciplines. She accepts that.
5. She never argues Mario isn’t a philosopher.