LSAT 6 | Section 3 | Logical Reasoning: Q2

LR Question 2 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: The use of money causes a civilization to decline…

QUESTION TYPE: Weaken

CONCLUSION: The use of money causes a civilization to decline

REASONING: This is shown by the way that the decline of Western civilization began with the invention of money.

ANALYSIS: In an argument it’s important to figure out the conclusion. This question might seem like it is about the use of money in Western civilization. But that is just an example: the main conclusion is that money hurts civilizations (any civilization.)

___________

1. It’s quite possible that people prefer something that causes their civilization to decline.
2. CORRECT. This is a strong rebuttal. The argument claimed that any civilization will decline because of money. If Eastern civilizations didn’t decline then the theory isn’t correct.
3. This gives us an additional reason to dislike paper money. We’re trying to weaken the argument.
4. This doesn’t really do anything either way. Is this fluctuation a good thing or a bad thing?
5. This doesn’t affect the argument that money causes civilization to decline. It just tells us a fact about money.

Recap: The question begins with “The use of money causes a civilization to decline”. It is a Weaken question. Learn more about LSAT Weaken questions in our guide to LSAT Logical Reasoning question types.