LSAT Explanation PT 23, S3, Q23: A person's failure to keep a

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following judgments most closely conforms to the principle above? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Principle (Misc) question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is D. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

First, let's analyze the passage. The passage states that a person's failure to keep a promise is wrong only if two conditions are met: 1) the failure harms the person the promise was made to, and 2) all of those who discover the failure lose confidence in the person's ability to keep promises. To make this principle more understandable, let's use a simple example. Imagine that Alice promises to return Bob's bicycle by the end of the week. If Alice fails to return the bicycle, it would only be considered wrong if Bob is harmed by not having his bicycle (e.g., he can't get to work) and everyone who finds out about Alice's failure loses confidence in her ability to keep promises.

Now, let's identify the question type and what it's asking us to do. This is a Principle (Misc) question, which means we need to find the answer choice that most closely conforms to the principle stated in the passage.

Let's analyze each answer choice:

a) This answer choice discusses Ann keeping her promise, while the passage focuses on the failure to keep a promise. Although Ann's keeping her promise convinced everyone she is trustworthy, the passage does not give us enough information to determine if her action was wrong or not. So, this choice does not closely conform to the principle.

b) This answer choice talks about Jonathan breaking an oath of secrecy, which is not the same as failing to keep a promise. Moreover, the passage states that the action must harm the person the promise was made to and cause a loss of confidence. In this case, the corporation intended for the secrets to be leaked, so there is no harm. Therefore, this choice does not closely conform to the principle.

c) George's failure to keep his promise to Reiko resulted in Reiko suffering a financial loss, which meets the first condition (harm). However, the passage also requires the second condition (loss of confidence) to be met for the failure to be considered wrong. This answer choice does not mention the loss of confidence, so it does not closely conform to the principle.

d) In this answer choice, Carlo fails to keep his promise to Miriam, but Miriam does not need the money and does not lose confidence in Carlo. This means that neither of the two conditions (harm and loss of confidence) is met. According to the passage's principle, Carlo's failure is not wrong. This answer choice closely conforms to the principle, making it the correct answer.

e) Elizabeth fails to keep her promise to return the book to Steven, and Steven loses confidence in her ability to keep promises. This meets the second condition (loss of confidence). However, the passage also requires the first condition (harm) to be met for the failure to be considered wrong. This answer choice does not mention any harm caused by Elizabeth's failure, so it does not closely conform to the principle.

In conclusion, the correct answer is D, as it most closely conforms to the principle stated in the passage.