LSAT 149 | Section 2 | Reading Comprehension: Q23

RC Question 23 Explanation

DISCUSSION: The passage was organized roughly as follows:

1. The first paragraph introduces the general intellectual atmosphere of Social Darwinism.
2. The second paragraph places Gilman within one group of Social Darwinism, and then shows her works implied an ethical responsibility.
3. The third paragraph shows her works were meant to change society, and shows her gender revolutionary ideas.

___________

1. CORRECT. The “one of two versions of the theory” describes the first paragraph and the start of the second: Gilman falls into the activist camp that believes in collective action.
    
   The “theory” is Darwinism. The practical implications are: we have an ethical responsibility to do useful work. And that women’s role in the workplace should change.
2. The only contrast was in the first paragraph, between competition and collective action. That happened before the author described Gilman’s relationship to Social Darwinists.
3. The author doesn’t suggest there is any dispute about how to interpret Gilman’s writing. Also, this answer neglects the first paragraph, where the author placed Gilman among Social Darwinists.
4. The author never evaluated the reasoning of Social Darwinists or Gilman. To evaluate something is to say it is good or bad. We don’t know the author’s opinion on Social Darwinism.
5. The author never mentions any of Gilman’s critics!