LSAT 117 | Section 4 | Logical Reasoning: Q18

LR Question 18 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: Philosopher: The rational pursuit of happiness …

QUESTION TYPE: Must Be False

FACTS:

• Rational pursuit of happiness (RP) and desires are different.
• RP requires considering long-term consequences.
• Most desires focus on the short-term.
• Some desires are compulsions.
• Ordinary desires produce at least momentary happiness when fulfilled. Compulsions do not.

ANALYSIS: We’re looking for an answer that cannot be true.

We know a lot about desires and compulsions. So let’s focus there.

Some desires are compulsions. Compulsions offer no happiness even when attained.

So we already know that there exists at least one kind of desire whose fulfillment does not result in happiness (i.e. a compulsion).

So any answer saying that every desire results in happiness is therefore impossible.

___________

1. The philosopher says compulsions sometimes occur, not that most people have them. So it’s entirely possible that the majority of people do not have compulsions.
2. CORRECT. This must be false. Some desires are compulsions, and compulsions don’t offer happiness. Since compulsions are a type of desire, not every desire produces happiness.
3. We don’t know anything about what most people experience, so this could be true. Since RP requires long-term thinking, maybe a lot of people don’t bother.
4. The philosopher never says that people want only their own happiness. People could want many other things as well.
5. The philosopher says RP must include considering long-term consequences, but never says that only RP has long-term consequences. It’s entirely possible that all actions have long-term consequences.