LSAT 154 | Section 2 | Logical Reasoning: Q18

LR Question 18 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: Anthropologists have long debated whether the customs…

QUESTION TYPE: Role in Argument

CONCLUSION: If we define culture as the sum of its customs, then the customs must preserve the culture.

REASONING: If any part of custom of this culture is abandoned, that would destroy the culture.

ANALYSIS: The word “because” alerts us that what follows is supporting evidence for a claim. And we know the conclusion here is that if we define a culture a certain way, then abandoning any custom means destroying the culture.

___________

1. “Because” tells us that it’s a premise, so it can’t be the conclusion.
2. We’re not defining a technical term.
3. CORRECT. This claim is being used to support the part that says “the customs of a culture necessarily function to preserve it”. And it’s a conditional conclusion due to the “if this definition is correct” beginning that last sentence.
4. This one does say that it’s a premise but it describes the wrong conclusion.
5. No, this is the argument’s view, not the anthropologists’.

Recap: The question begins with “Anthropologists have long debated whether the customs”. It is a Role in Argument question. Learn more about LSAT Role questions in our guide to LSAT Logical Reasoning question types.