PT 49, S2, P18- Nature Evolves

[jklein1233]

I'm having some trouble finding a way to distinguish B from E. Both answer choices appear to be saying the same thing, with E being the correct answer.

Any help would be appreciated.

John

[ManhattanPrepLSAT1]

The easiest way for me to point out why one would choose answer choice (E) over answer choice (B) is the use of the key words "best understood" in answer choice (E). The conclusion is about attaining the best possible understanding of nature. Answer choice (B) is about the structure of the reasoning that people do about a phenomenon. Answer choice (E) discusses what sort of reasoning structure is used to attain a "best understanding."

The argument says that nature can best be understood as a whole. Thus, attaining the best understanding of nature requires a holistic reasoning structure.

The argument assumes that attaining the best understanding of something requires a reasoning structure similar to that which is being studied - answer choice (E).

(A) discusses a flaw, but not one committed in the argument. This refers to mistaking a sufficient for necessary condition.
(B) is close, but the argument never assumes that the overall structure of a phenomenon is similar to that of the reasoning that people do. This answer choice should have finished by reading "similar to that of the reasoning structure required for the best understanding." Then, this would have been the correct answer.
(C) is out of scope. The argument does not need to distinguish between deliberately isolated parts of a phenomenon and the phenomenon as whole. The argument is more focused on the reasoning structure used to understand a phenomenon.
(D) is not true. The argument never says that the parts cannot be thought of as separate. Rather it claims the reasoning structure should match the phenomenon.
(E) is correct for the reasons above.

[jklein1233]

Thanks, Matt. That's very helpful, I didn't notice the best understanding language the first time around.