Role of "On the contrary" in the stimulus

[seychelles1718]

Hi

A dictionary definition of 'on the contrary' is "used to intensify a denial of what has just been implied or stated" and I've always thought the phrase has the same meaning as 'on the other hand,' and 'however.'

But in a few LSAT problems, 'on the contrary' is not used to introduce a contrary or alternate view, as in PT 71.S3.Q25, and PT 66.S4.Q22.

How should I react to 'on the contrary' in the stimulus?

[ohthatpatrick]

On pt66, q22,

The previous sentence rejects the idea that
"its watchful behavior is entirely self-interested"

Contradicting that would be saying
"its watchful behavior is NOT entirely self-interested (i.e. at least SOME part of the watchful behavior is for the benefit/interest of someone else)"

And that's exactly what the "on the contrary" sentence says.
"Its watchful behavior is motivated at least in part by altruism"

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On PT71, Q25

The previous sentence rejects the idea that
"Property development has ADVERSELY affected the park's wildlife"

The "on the contrary" is saying, "ADVERSELY affected the park's wildlife? ON THE CONTRARY, there is even MORE wildlife since the property development arrived." (it's positively affected wildlife, not adversely)

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In both of the examples you cited, the sentence before the "on the contrary" is rejecting some idea.

The "on the contrary" isn't going the opposite direction of the rejection, it's going the opposite direction of the rejected idea.

If I say, "Despite what you think, you are NOT going to love that soup. On the contrary ... [you'll hate it]"

SOME IDEA: you're going to love that soup
REJECTING THAT IDEA: you're NOT going to like that soup

The "on the contrary" intro is going to reinforce the rejection. It's saying, "Contrary to what you were thinking, the OPPOSITE is actually true."

This is what the definition meant by
"used to intensify a denial of what has just been implied"

[seychelles1718]

Thank you so much!