Sociologist: Romantics who claim that people are not

Question

Sociologist: Romantics who claim that people are not born evil but may be made evil by the imperfect institutions that they form cannot be right, for they misunderstand the causal relationshipbetween people and their institutions. After all,institutions are merely collections of people.

Which one of the following principles, if valid, would most help to justify the sociologist’s argument?

(A) People acting together in institutions can do more good or evil than can people acting individually.

(B) Institutions formed by people are inevitably imperfect.

(C) People should not be overly optimistic in their view of individual human beings.

(D) A society’s institutions are the surest gauge of that society’s values.

(E) The whole does not determine the properties of the things that compose it.

Source: LSAT

VeritasPrepBrandon · Accepted Answer

The sociologist is arguing against the idea that institutions cause people to be evil, and his evidence is that institutions are made up of people. Answer choice E supports the sociologist's argument, because if the whole (in this case the institution) DID determine the properties of the things that compose it (the people), then that would support the romantic's point of view (that institutions cause people to become evil). The sociologist is arguing against the romantic, and stating that the whole does NOT determine the characteristics of the parts, so answer choice E helps justify the sociologist's argument.

I hope this helps!!!

I hope this helps!!!

OptimusPrepJanielle · Answer

Sociologist: Romantics who claim that people are not born evil but may be made evil by the imperfect institutions that they form cannot be right, for they misunderstand the causal relationship between people and their institutions. After all, institutions are merely collections of people.
 The conclusion is that people with bad intentions can make an institution imperfect. This is in opposition to the claim that institutions influence individuals. 
Which one of the following principles, if valid, would most help to justify the sociologist’s argument?
 The correct answer choice will show that individuals affect the institution or negate the idea that the institution affects individuals. 
(A) People acting together in institutions can do more good or evil than can people acting individually.
 doesn't clarify the causal relationship. 
(B) Institutions formed by people are inevitably imperfect.
 mentions no causal relationship 
(C) People should not be overly optimistic in their view of individual human beings.
 out of scope 
(D) A society’s institutions are the surest gauge of that society’s values.
 out of scope 
 (E) The whole does not determine the properties of the things that compose it. 
 The character of the institution is not an indicator of the character of the individuals that form it.

gmatexam439 · Answer

Sociologist: Romantics who claim that people are not born evil but may be made evil by the imperfect institutions that they form cannot be right, for they misunderstand the causal relationshipbetween people and their institutions. After all,institutions are merely collections of people.

Which one of the following principles, if valid, would most help to justify the sociologist’s argument?

(A) People acting together in institutions can do more good or evil than can people acting individually. - Out of scope

(B) Institutions formed by people are inevitably imperfect. - Imperfect doesn't mean that the people will become evil in an institution

(C) People should not be overly optimistic in their view of individual human beings. - optimistic? out of scope

(D) A society’s institutions are the surest gauge of that society’s values. - This will strengthen romantics' view point

(E) The whole does not determine the properties of the things that compose it. - Correct. This gives a relation between the people and institutions in a way that is opposite to the explanation given by Romantics

ann1111 · Answer

The argument tells us that Sociologists believe that Romantics should not be identified by their institutions (group of people). This is exactly what option E tells us.
A- Whether people do more good or evil than an individual is irrelevant to the argument.
B-Whether the institutions are perfect or not is not relevant.
C- Talks about optimism, which is not relevant.
D- This provides a reverse relationship (weakens the conclusion) and hence can be eliminated.

Thekingmaker · Answer

This was a relatively easy one we have to figure ouut a reason as of why the institutions are creating the desired value and therefore if the properties are different then it can lead different end results which if proven correct can lend support for the same therefore IMO E

sony1000 · Answer

It is hard to agree with the sociologist because most babies are not evil but become evil through the influence of other people throughout their uprising.

Sa800 · Answer

why isnt A right? it proves the authors point that institutions are just collections of people and does not determine the individuals character (aka the institution reflects the individuals character) so in other words a group of born evil people will make the institution evil (not the institution making the group of people evil)

egmat · Answer

Sa800

Looking at your reasoning, I can see why answer choice (A) might seem appealing, but there's a crucial distinction you're missing between  amplification  and  causation . Let me help clarify this.

Understanding the Core Argument
 
The sociologist's argument centers on a  causal claim :
 
 Romantics say: Institutions  cause  people to become evil 
 Sociologist says: This is wrong because institutions are just collections of people

The key question is:  What causes evil - the people or the institutions? 
 
Why Answer Choice (A) Doesn't Work

Answer (A) states:  "People acting together in institutions can do more good or evil than can people acting individually."

This choice discusses  amplification  - it's saying groups can do MORE evil than individuals. But notice:
 
 It doesn't address  where the evil originates  
 It doesn't say anything about institutions  causing  people to be evil 
 It actually assumes people already have the capacity for evil (whether born or made)

Your interpretation that "a group of born evil people will make the institution evil" isn't actually stated in (A). Choice (A) is neutral about causation - it could work with either view:
 
 Evil people form evil institutions (sociologist's view) 
 OR institutions make people evil who then act worse together (romantics' view)  
 
Why Answer Choice (E) Is Correct

Answer (E) states:  "The whole does not determine the properties of the things that compose it."

This directly supports the sociologist's logic:
 
 Institutions = the whole 
 People = the things that compose it 
 If the whole (institutions) doesn't determine the properties of its parts (people), then institutions  cannot make people evil  
 Therefore, any evil must come from the people themselves  
 
Key Takeaway

When evaluating principle questions, focus on what the principle  actually states  rather than what you can infer from it. Answer (A) addresses group dynamics and amplification, while the argument requires a principle about  causal direction  - which only (E) provides.

The trap with (A) is that it sounds relevant because it mentions institutions and people acting together, but it sidesteps the crucial question:  Does the institution cause the evil, or do the people bring the evil to the institution?

Sociologist: Romantics who claim that people are not

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Sociologist: Romantics who claim that people are not

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