LSAT 131 | Section 2 | Logical Reasoning: Q12

LR Question 12 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: A theoretical framework facilitates conceptual organization

QUESTION TYPE: Complete the Argument

CONCLUSION: Using a theoretical framework is not the best way to do historical research.

(This was my prediction. The actual answer is a bit different.)

REASONING: The past is too complex to make a good theoretical framework.

ANALYSIS: The author is basically saying “theory is generally good, but history is too complex to use a theoretical framework”. The “But…therefore” indicates this. The “but” provides contrast with the recommendation to use theory.

That’s what I predicted anyway. The right answer is somewhat different. It’s not how I would have ended the argument, but it’s a reasonable end to what the author said.

___________

1. This is a strong statement. It’s possible that theory is inapplicable, but that thinking about using theory might still improve historians’ work.
2. This is extreme. The author said theoretical frameworks aren’t a good idea. But there might be other fields where theoretical frameworks are even worse!
3. CORRECT. Good enough. This follows directly from the sentence starting with “but.”
4. This is context given in the argument. The author somewhat disagrees with these historians.
5. The author doesn’t agree with this at all! If history is too complex for theory, then a theoretical approach will cut off some parts of history. This might not happen with other approaches.