LSAT 23 | Section 3 | Logical Reasoning: Q8

LR Question 8 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: One researcher writes, “Human beings are innately…

QUESTION TYPE: Method of Reasoning

CONCLUSION: Aggression isn’t innate; only the potential for aggression is innate.

REASONING: Innate can’t mean: “things we might possibly do.”

ANALYSIS: This argument is about the meaning of words. If aggression were innate, that would mean that everyone was aggressive. There would be no pacifists, and everyone would fight often.

The author argues that we only have the potential to be aggressive. Everyone gets angry, and in the right circumstances, anyone might fight. But not everyone does fight.

___________

1. The argument is about the meaning of words. The author didn’t deny that our species has had a violent history.
2. CORRECT. The researcher argues we’re innately violent. But the author of the argument points out that we only have the potential for violence.
3. The author says that the potential for aggression is coded into our genes.
4. Emotions aren’t mentioned. The author never makes any personal attack against the researcher.
5. This simply never happens. The author only said that some people are peaceable now, and the researcher agrees with that claim.

Recap: The question begins with “One researcher writes, “Human beings are innately”. It is a Method of Reasoning question. Learn more about LSAT Method of Reasoning questions in our guide to LSAT Logical Reasoning question types.