Q18 - All actions are motivated

[jpchris3]

Hello,

Why is D correct? While taking it under timed conditions this question just made my head hurt...can someone help break down the language for answer choices B and D and reword it in simpler terms?

Thanks!

[ManhattanPrepLSAT1]

Thanks for bringing this one to the forum! After 8 years of working on the LSAT this language doesn't sound confusing anymore, but I remember that in the beginning this stuff was really tough.

Answer choice (B) refers to the flaw that just because something could be true, doesn't mean that it is true. It's like saying, "the Springville soccer team could win the championship this year. Therefore the Springville soccer team definitely will win the championship this year."

Answer choice (D) is the common flaw that the argument mistakes a sufficient condition for one that is necessary. That's more similar to the following example. In order to get full credit for a report in PoliSci 340, you must submit the report before the deadline. James submitted his report before the deadline. Therefore, James will receive full credit. We both know that James could have missed points on his paper even though James got it turned in on time. The argument mistook a condition required to get full credit for one that is sufficient to get full credit.

We know that answer choice (B) is correct since we can see in the evidence "helping someone can be described in self-interest." The conclusion is that "all actions are motivated by self-interest."

Let me know if you have any more questions on this one!

[jh2352]

Can someone breakdown the stimulus, please!

[maryadkins]

Sure!

So the stimulus broken down is:

Premise:

any action (including altruistic) --> can be described in terms of self-interest

Conclusion:

actions --> motivated by self-interest

The example is just an example elaborating on the premise. It isn't part of the core.