- PowerScore Staff
- Posts: 8917
- Joined: Feb 02, 2011
- Mon May 15, 2017 6:16 pm
#34888
Complete Question Explanation
Main Point. The correct answer choice is (D)
The counselor quoted in this stimulus begins with a familiar LSAT form in which an author
introduces a common belief, only then to immediately refute it: Many people believe this to be
the case, but they are mistaken. In this case, the author is discussing the common assumption
that personal conflicts are inevitable, an assumption, the author asserts, which is mistaken, since
personal conflicts are generally just the result of human irrationality. The author gives the example
of a common rush to negative judgment, in spite of what the evidence might otherwise suggest:
people more quickly perceive someone as unreliable (often after a single instance) than as reliable (a
perception that can take years to foster).
The argument breaks down more simply as follows:
Premise: Personal conflicts are primarily the result of irrationality.
Conclusion: Thus, despite common perception, personal conflicts are not actually
inevitable.
The question stem asks for the author’s main conclusion, which has already been prephrased above:
Personal conflicts are not inevitable.
Answer choice (A): This is the common belief that the author concludes is mistaken, so it cannot be
the main conclusion of the argument.
Answer choice (B): This example is provided to support the author’s premise that personal conflicts
are actually primarily the result of irrationality, but it does not express the main conclusion drawn
from the argument, so it should be ruled out of contention for this Main Point question.
Answer choice (C): The author implies that this reaction is irrational, to exemplify the point that
personal conflicts are mainly the result of irrationality, in support of the author’s actual main
conclusion: that personal conflicts are not actually inevitable.
Answer choice (D): This is the correct answer choice. As discussed, the author’s main point is that
personal conflicts are not actually inevitable.
Answer choice (E): This point is intended to exemplify the fact that personal conflicts are primarily
attributable to people’s irrationality—a premise in support of the stimulus’ ultimate conclusion:
Personal conflicts are not inevitable.
Main Point. The correct answer choice is (D)
The counselor quoted in this stimulus begins with a familiar LSAT form in which an author
introduces a common belief, only then to immediately refute it: Many people believe this to be
the case, but they are mistaken. In this case, the author is discussing the common assumption
that personal conflicts are inevitable, an assumption, the author asserts, which is mistaken, since
personal conflicts are generally just the result of human irrationality. The author gives the example
of a common rush to negative judgment, in spite of what the evidence might otherwise suggest:
people more quickly perceive someone as unreliable (often after a single instance) than as reliable (a
perception that can take years to foster).
The argument breaks down more simply as follows:
Premise: Personal conflicts are primarily the result of irrationality. Conclusion: Thus, despite common perception, personal conflicts are not actually inevitable.The question stem asks for the author’s main conclusion, which has already been prephrased above:
Personal conflicts are not inevitable.
Answer choice (A): This is the common belief that the author concludes is mistaken, so it cannot be
the main conclusion of the argument.
Answer choice (B): This example is provided to support the author’s premise that personal conflicts
are actually primarily the result of irrationality, but it does not express the main conclusion drawn
from the argument, so it should be ruled out of contention for this Main Point question.
Answer choice (C): The author implies that this reaction is irrational, to exemplify the point that
personal conflicts are mainly the result of irrationality, in support of the author’s actual main
conclusion: that personal conflicts are not actually inevitable.
Answer choice (D): This is the correct answer choice. As discussed, the author’s main point is that
personal conflicts are not actually inevitable.
Answer choice (E): This point is intended to exemplify the fact that personal conflicts are primarily
attributable to people’s irrationality—a premise in support of the stimulus’ ultimate conclusion:
Personal conflicts are not inevitable.