LSAT 113 | Section 2 | Logical Reasoning: Q15

LR Question 15 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: Literary critic: The meaning of a literary work is not fixed but…

QUESTION TYPE: Necessary Assumption

CONCLUSION: Interpretations of a literary work tell us more about the critic than the author.

REASONING: There is no single valid interpretation of any work. Interpretation involves imposing meaning rather than discovering meaning in the work.

ANALYSIS: The wrong answers are particularly weak on this question, but they disguise themselves in language that sounds plausible. Remember the conclusion: a review tells us about the critic. Only B addresses this point.

The argument assumes that we can learn about critics from their reviews. If we can’t interpret authors’ writing, then why can we interpret critics’ writing?

___________

1. The argument implies that there is a way to distinguish the validity of an interpretation. It says “there are a number of equally valid” interpretations. That implies that some interpretations are less valid.
2. CORRECT. If meaning doesn’t reflect anything about the interpreter then it isn’t clear how interpretations tell us anything about the critics. 
3. This isn’t necessary. The argument already says that intentions aren’t necessary to an interpretation
4. Similar to C: this doesn’t matter. The argument said that it isn’t necessary to consider an author’s intentions.
5. This doesn’t tell us whether critical reviews tend to tell us more about critics or authors.