Q9

[camillebachrach]

Hi! I just wanted to know where the support for answer choice B came from in the passage. And why D & E are incorrect Thank you!

[ManhattanPrepLSAT1]

Hi camillebachrach!

The author takes a neutral position between scientists and humanists. Answer choice (B) comes directly from lines 4-8.

Incorrect Answers
(A) takes the side of the humanists, which the author does not do.
(C) is unsupported. The passages suggests that some humanists believe that science is reductionist. But this is NOT asserted about the humanists by the scientists.
(D) takes the side of the humanists, which the author does not do.
(E) takes the side of the scientists, which the author does not do.

[JenniferK632]

Would it also be valid to say that answer choice (c) was also wrong because of its red flag extreme language? (i.e. the excessive influence)

Thank you!

[Laura Damone]

I'd say it's the interpretation issue that makes it wrong, not the degree issue. Reductionism is cited as something humanists identify with science. That's a problem. But it's not explicitly cited as a problem scientists have with humanists. If it doesn't explain both, it's not the cause of the divide.

But, does "excessive" give me pause? Absolutely. Red flag, but not itself a fatal flaw.