#10 - Critic: Some writers have questioned Stalin’s sanity

[Administrator]

Complete Question Explanation

Point at Issue. The correct answer choice is (E)

While Stalin's cruel ways were generally characterized as paranoia and morbid suspiciousness by writers who questioned the leader's sanity, the critic in this stimulus holds that Stalin had to develop his harsh ways in order to continue his tyrannical rule.

Answer choice (A): This issue is not discussed and thus cannot represent the point at issue in the stimulus.

Answer choice (B): The critic and those referenced agree that Stalin displayed morbid suspiciousness; the disagreement surrounds the basis of this facet of Stalin's.

Answer choice (C): This comparison of relative factors is not made in the stimulus.

Answer choice (D): The point at issue is not whether tyranny tends to lead to cruelty, just whether Stalin's cruel ways were attributable to Stalin's psychological state or to necessity as a tyrant.

Answer choice (E): This is the correct answer choice. Whereas many in the past characterized Stalin's cruel nature in psychological terms, the critic in the stimulus believes that this nature was cultivated as a necessity of his political position.

[LSAT2018]

Given the answer E, how is the part 'primary cause' justified? Isn't the word primary too strong?

[Adam Tyson]

I don't think so, LSAT2018. The writers seem to think his cruel misdeeds were limited to his later years and that they were caused by his declining sanity. The author thinks they were a normal part of the entire period of his rule and were caused by his need to stay in power (for without them he would not have stayed in power). "Primary cause" seems right, as no other cause is mentioned by either the writers or the author.