LSAT 155 | Section 4 | Logical Reasoning: Q14

LR Question 14 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: Deborra: The art of still photography cannot enable us to…

QUESTION TYPE: Necessary Assumption

CONCLUSION: The art of still photography cannot enable us to understand the world.

REASONING: Understanding starts from refusing to accept the world as it looks, but instead inquiring into the world’s reality. The reality of the world is in functions, not images. These functions take place in time and must be explained in time. Only that which narrates can help us to understand.

ANALYSIS: This argument is structured in a tricky way. The last sentence (only that which narrates can help us to understand) is an intermediate conclusion. It’s supported by almost everything else, except the conclusion.

We learn that in order to understand, we have to inquire into reality. Reality is in functions, and these have to be explained in time through a narrative. The author uses this to reach the intermediate conclusion – that narrative is necessary for understanding.

However, this doesn’t get us to the conclusion. The author says we can’t understand based on still photos, but all we know is that we can’t understand without narrative.

The correct answer will tell us that still photography lacks narrative, finishing the reasoning.

___________

1. This doesn’t lead to the conclusion. We don’t care if they’re trying to understand, the author is saying they don’t understand.
2. This isn’t a necessary assumption of the argument. It doesn’t connect still photography to a lack of narrative.
3. CORRECT. This matches our prephrase. If still photos can’t capture narrative, then we can’t understand the world through them.
4. This is way off. We don’t need to show that art in general can’t help us understand. The argument is focused on still photography.
5. We aren’t trying to show whether images can be explained or not, and it doesn’t help us get to the conclusion.

Recap: The question begins with “Deborra: The art of still photography cannot enable us to”. It is a Necessary Assumption question. Learn more about LSAT Necessary questions in our guide to LSAT Logical Reasoning question types.