LSAT 118 | Section 1 | Logical Reasoning: Q18

LR Question 18 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: There is evidence to suggest that our cave-dwelling ancestors …

QUESTION TYPE: Weaken

CONCLUSION: Early humans had a sense for aesthetics.

REASONING: They polished their flints beyond what was needed for hunting.

ANALYSIS: The argument is saying that the extra polishing wasn’t necessary for hunting. Based on that, they determine it must have been done for aesthetic reasons.

But there could be other reasons to polish flints beyond hunting needs.

When the argument provides a causal relationship (aesthetic concern caused the extra polishing), the best weakener will provide an alternative explanation for the excessive polishing.

It’s not always easy to predict exactly what that alternative explanation will be, so try to list some ideas for your prephrase. For example: maybe highly polished flints cut better, were easier to clean, were more durable etc.

If the flints served other practical functions, then the extra polishing could have been useful for those purposes instead of reflecting an aesthetic sense. So the best answer will introduce another function aside from aesthetics or hunting.

___________

1. The conclusion says many highly polished flints, not all flints. Even if most flints were not highly polished, there could still be enough polished flints to support the argument. This doesn’t explain why the polished ones existed.
2. The absence of cave paintings doesn’t tell us whether humans had an aesthetic sense. People could appreciate beauty without creating cave art.
3. This is a very tempting trap. This sounds good because it gives another reason for polishing the flints (display in ceremonies). But remember, the argument concludes: early humans had an aesthetic sense. Using objects in religious ceremonies does not rule out an aesthetic sense. In fact, ceremonial objects are often made to be beautiful, ornate, or visually impressive. So this would probably actually strengthen the argument.
4. CORRECT. The author assumes: More polishing than hunting required → aesthetic motivation. But if flints were used for many other everyday chores, then the extra polishing may have been functional for those other activities. The polishing may have exceeded what hunting required while still being entirely practical.
5. Whether we understand the benefits of an aesthetic sense has nothing to do with whether early humans actually had one.