LSAT 158 – Section 4 – Question 20

LSAT 158 - Section 4 - Question 20

May 2020

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Question
QuickView		 Type Tags Answer
Choices		 Curve Question
Difficulty		 Psg/Game/S
Difficulty		 Explanation
PT158 S4 Q20
+LR
Point at issue: disagree +Disagr
Analogy +An
A
70%
163
B
5%
150
C
13%
157
D
6%
152
E
8%
154
146
154
161
 +Harder 148.293 +SubsectionMedium

Paula: Earthlike planets seem to be the rule rather than the exception, so there probably are intelligent beings on other planets. Furthermore, we can expect our radio telescopes to detect signs of such beings. Alien scientists would have basically the same understanding of mathematics and physics that humans have. Thus they would inevitably discover gravity, electromagnetism, and other fundamental physical phenomena and then develop technologies such as radio communication.

Ashley: That is like saying they would inevitably have the same legal or political systems that humans do. Our science, mathematics, and technology are unique outgrowths of our physiology, cognitive makeup, and environment. Using radio telescopes to search for intelligent life is a waste of time and money.

Speaker 1 Summary
Paula says radio telescopes will probably find intelligent aliens. This is backed up by two chains of reasoning. First, intelligent aliens probably exist, because Earth-like planets are common. Second, aliens probably have radio communication, because they would have the same math and physics as humans, and develop similar technology.

Speaker 2 Summary
Ashley thinks it’s pointless to look for intelligent aliens using radio telescopes. Why? Because like legal and political systems, there’s no reason to think alien tech would develop like ours. This is also supported by the fact that our science and technology have been influenced by our unique characteristics and environment.

Objective
We’re looking for a disagreement. Paula and Ashley disagree about whether radio telescopes will find intelligent aliens who have also developed radio communication.

A
it is probable that there are intelligent alien beings who have developed radio communication
Paula agrees with this and Ashley disagrees, making this the point of disagreement. Paula explicitly makes this claim. Ashley argues that technology depends on unique factors in each setting. This implies that alien technology would develop differently, likely without radios.
B
it is probable that there are intelligent alien beings who have the same legal or political systems that humans do
Neither speaker makes this claim. Ashley gives legal and political systems as an example of likely differences between aliens and humans. She uses this as an analogy to argue that alien technology would also be different.
C
our technology is influenced by our cognitive makeup
Ashley agrees with this, but Paula doesn’t give an opinion. Paula argues that alien technology would be similar to ours based on how math and science work, but never discusses the influence of our cognitive makeup one way or the other.
D
there is likely to be intelligent life on other planets
Paula agrees with this, but Ashley doesn’t state an opinion. Ashley discusses possible aliens in the abstract, but never weighs in on whether intelligent aliens are actually likely to exist or not.
E
scientists should spend more time and money on the search for intelligent extraterrestrial life
Neither speaker talks about this claim. The discussion is just about whether radio telescopes are likely to find aliens, and doesn’t touch on the broader search for extraterrestrial life or whether we should spend more money looking for aliens.

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LSAT PrepTest 158 Explanations

Section 1 - Reading Comprehension

Section 2 - Logical Reasoning

Section 3 - Logical Reasoning

Section 4 - Logical Reasoning

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