LSAT 109 | Section 4 | Logical Reasoning: Q11

LR Question 11 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: Even though apes are the only nonhuman creatures able…

QUESTION TYPE: Necessary Assumption

CONCLUSION: Only humans think philosophical thoughts.

REASONING: Ape’s have never used human language to express a philosophical question, and ape are the only animals to learn human language.

ANALYSIS: This argument ignores an obvious possibility: what if animals can think philosophical thoughts in non-human languages. Maybe dolphins ask “why are we here?” using those little clicking noises they make.

___________

1. The argument says this isn’t true: apes have learned human language.
2. If apes can think in human language, then the argument would be stronger. They could think a philosophical thought in human language and then say it in human language. But they haven’t done that, so probably they can’t think philosophical language.
3. CORRECT. If philosophical thoughts can be expressed in animal language, then maybe animals can be philosophical. We just can’t understand them well enough to know it.
4. It animals find speaking in human language easier than thinking in human language, then the argument is stronger. Apes still haven’t said anything philosophical, even though speaking is easier than thinking.
5. This doesn’t really affect the argument. Apes did learn human language, and they don’t seem to express philosophical thoughts. So for them, it seems to be easier to learn human language than to say philosophical things.

Recap: The question begins with “Even though apes are the only nonhuman creatures able”. It is a Necessary Assumption question. Learn how to master LSAT Necessary questions on the LSAT Logical Reasoning question types page.