LSAT 145 | Section 3 | Reading Comprehension: Q15

RC Question 15 Explanation

DISCUSSION: You always want to reread the section mentioned, and a bit around it. I’d summarize Maritain’s view as “bees dance without intention”.

In lines 53-56, the author completely disagrees with Maritain, calling his views circular. Anytime an author says “but”, that shows they disagree with what came before. “These arguments” in line 54 refers to Maritain’s argument and other similar arguments.

Several of the wrong answers mention claims the author agrees with. This is irrelevant. The question is about why the author mentions Maritain, not what the author argues for elsewhere in the passage.

___________

1. CORRECT. See line 54. The author says “but these arguments are circular”, referring to Maritain.
2. The author does suggest in the final paragraph that animals can communicate consciously, but they did not mention Maritain to illustrate their view. Maritain illustrates the opposite view.
3. Maritain’s argument is against the view that animals communicate creatively.
4. Maritain’s argument is that the bees’ dance is a conditioned reflex. So this answer is not why Maritain was mentioned.
5. Line 53-56 show the author completely disagrees with Maritain.