LSAT 104 | Section 1 | Logical Reasoning: Q17

LR Question 17 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: The stable functioning of a society depends upon the…

QUESTION TYPE: Role in Argument

CONCLUSION: A stable society needs its citizens to have stable goals.

REASONING: Stable society ➞ laws increase happiness ➞ citizens have predictable and long lasting goals.

ANALYSIS: The claim in question is a premise that supports the conclusion. It’s the first part of my drawing above:

“Stable society ➞ laws increase happiness ➞ citizens have predictable and long lasting goals”.

Incidentally, this is a good argument, assuming the premises are true. Two conditional statements are joined, and they allow the conclusion to be made.

This is the structure of the argument:

A ➞ B ➞ C

The claim in question is this part: A ➞ B

The conclusion is this part: A ➞ C

___________

1. The conclusion is the whole logical chain above: a stable society needs its citizens to have stable goals.
2. CORRECT. The conclusion is formed by joining two conditional statements. The claim in question is the first conditional statement.
3. Actually, this claim directly supports the conclusion.
4. It’s the other way around. The conclusion is the consequence of the argument. This claim helps make the conclusion.
5. The claim isn’t an example. Instead, it’s a premise that helps lead to the conclusion. And there’s no presupposed (unstated) principle.

Recap: The question begins with “The stable functioning of a society depends upon the”. It is a Role in Argument question. Learn how to master LSAT Role questions on the LSAT Logical Reasoning question types page.