Question

One sure way you can tell how quickly a new ideafor example, the idea of "privatization" - is taking hold among the population is to monitor how fast the word or words expressing that particular idea are passing into common usage. Professional opinions of whether or not words can indeed be said to have passed into common usage are available from dictionary editors, who are vitally concerned with this question. The method described above for determining how quickly a new idea is taking hold relies on which one of the following assumptions? (A) Dictionary editors are not professionally interested in words that are only rarely used. (B) Dictionary editors have exact numerical criteria for telling when a word has passed into common usage. (C) For a new idea to take hold, dictionary editors have to include the relevant word or words in their dictionaries. (D) As a word passes into common usage, its meaning does not undergo any severe distortions in the process. (E) Words denoting new ideas tend to be used before the ideas denoted are understood.

Short answer

Assumption (A) is necessary for the method to work.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Question

We are analyzing a method that determines how quickly a new idea is taking hold by monitoring the usage of related words. The question asks us to identify an implicit assumption in this method.

Identify the Method's Premise

The method relies on how fast words related to a new idea enter common usage as a marker of that idea taking hold in the population.

Determine Dictionary Editors' Role

The method assumes dictionary editors can assess word usage accurately since they are said to confirm when words enter common usage.

Analyze Each Option

Examine whether each option must be true for the method to work: - (A) If false, it undermines the method since rare words wouldn't be of interest. - (B) This speaks to precision, but the method doesn't specify necessity for exact criteria. - (C) Suggests dictionary editors' inclusion is essential for the idea to take hold, which is a stronger claim than the premise. - (D) Relates to meaning constancy, which isn't directly implied by the method. - (E) Suggests usage precedes understanding, not directly about common usage.

Identify the Assumption

The assumption that must be true for the method to work is (A). If dictionary editors didn't focus on commonly used words, their opinion would not indicate how quickly a word is entering common usage.

Key concepts

Logical Reasoning

Logical reasoning is a critical skill, especially in tests like the LSAT. It entails the ability to follow, analyze, and properly evaluate an argument or a chain of reasoning. Logical reasoning questions often involve statements or passages, requiring you to identify conclusions, premises, assumptions, or logical holes. When handling tasks involving logical reasoning, it's crucial to:

• Break down the argument into its components: the conclusion, premises, and any underlying assumptions.
• Determine how these components interact with each other. Consider if additional evidence would strengthen or weaken the argument.
• Be precise about identifying what is explicitly stated and what is implied.

Logical reasoning is not just about analyzing what is written but also about understanding what is unsaid—often, understanding an argument's assumption is key, just like in our exercise where assumptions about dictionary editors play a role. Critical thinking helps build robust logical reasoning skills.

Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is about evaluating information objectively and making a reasoned judgment. It's at the core of analyzing LSAT preparation exercises which test one's ability to think critically about language and logic. Developing critical thinking skills involves:

• Understanding and clearly identifying the problem or question at hand.
• Recognizing assumptions that impact the argument's foundation.
• Analyzing information from multiple perspectives to understand its credibility and relevance.
• Evaluating evidence, discussing implications, and considering alternative viewpoints.

Critically thinking through the problem requires one to challenge assumptions and ask whether they consistently hold in varying scenarios. For example, our exercise requires evaluating whether dictionary editors indeed focus solely on commonly used words to validate the method of assessing new ideas.

Assumptions in Arguments

Identifying assumptions in arguments is essential for thorough understanding and evaluation. An assumption in an argument is an implicit statement that connects the premise to the conclusion—it must be true for the argument to hold. Here's how to effectively identify assumptions:

• Look for any missing links between premises and conclusions. Assumptions often bridge these gaps.
• Consider whether the premises are sufficient to warrant the conclusion without extra unstated support.
• Think about what would happen if the assumption were false—would this undermine the argument?

As seen in our exercise, the assumption is that dictionary editors care about commonly used words, linking the notion of a word passing into common usage with an idea gaining popularity. Without this assumption, the method described would fall apart, demonstrating the critical nature of assumptions in logical analysis.

Dictionary Editor Role

The role of a dictionary editor in our exercise is to serve as an authoritative voice on when a word enters common usage. This role highlights the importance of language experts in monitoring and validating linguistic trends as ideas become mainstream. Key responsibilities of a dictionary editor in this context include:

• Tracking new words and determining their prevalence and relevance in everyday language.
• Evaluating submissions for potential inclusion based on frequency and widespread acceptance.
• Ensuring the dictionary remains a reliable reference by updating it with words that reflect current usage patterns.

The dictionary editor's role is crucial in the exercise because it assumes their judgment on word usage aligns with the population's acceptance of new ideas. Without their validation, the suggested method for tracking new ideas would lack credibility. Hence, understanding their function offers insight into how language evolves and reflects societal changes.