Logical ReasoningDifficulty: Hard

PT159 S3 Q16 ExplanationSome have argued that once it becomes necessary for us to think

A free, expert breakdown of this official LSAT Logical Reasoning question.

TopicsRole

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Stimulus

Some have argued that once it becomes necessary for us to think about computers in terms of beliefs and desires in order to understand how they function, we can rightly say that computers have beliefs and desires. However, we already need to think about what computers believe and desire in order to exist now have beliefs and desires. So the suggested criterion is obviously flawed.

What this question is testing

Role

Your task

Break the argument into its conclusion and evidence, then do exactly what the question stem asks with that structure.

Common trap

Answers that sound relevant to the topic but don't connect to the argument's actual reasoning.

Winning move

Predict what a right answer must do, then test each choice against the conclusion-evidence gap.

Reading along? Open the full official question in LawHub — we show a fragment here and keep the reasoning in our own words.

The question
16.

The claim that the computers that exist now have beliefs and desires plays which one of the following roles

Answer choices, explained

  1. Correct64% picked this

    It is held to be an unacceptable conclusion to which the suggested

    Why this is right

    This perfectly reflects the Reduction to the Absurd archetype in which a claim is said to be false because it would lead to clearly false conclusions.

    Skill tested: Role · how this choice captures the argument's function is the move to repeat next time.

  2. Bad Description / Opposite2% picked this

    It is a view the argument assumes

    The author assumes this view is unacceptable, not uncontroversial.

  3. Bad Description: not a clarifying example4% picked this

    It is an example given to clarify the criterion

    It is a consequence of the criterion, not an example of it.

  4. Bad Description: not the conclusion3% picked this

    It is the conclusion of the

    The conclusion is the rebuttal of the opposing point.

  5. Bad Description / Opposite28% picked this

    It is a premise whose truth is necessary to the success

    It is something that must NOT be true if the argument is going to be successful.

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