LSAT Explanation PT 24, S2, Q25: The publisher of a best-selling self-help

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following principles, if valid, most strongly supports the reasoning above? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Principle question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is A. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

Let's first analyze the argument in the passage. The passage states that the publisher of a self-help book claims it can teach readers how to become exceptionally successful. However, the passage also states that everyone knows that no book can deliver exceptional success to the many since it is limited to the few. Despite this, the argument concludes that the publisher's false claim should not be considered unethical.

To break down the argument:

Premise: The publisher made a false claim about the book's ability to deliver exceptional success.

Premise: Everyone knows that no book can deliver exceptional success to the many.

Conclusion: The publisher's false claim should not be considered unethical.

An "Evaluate" question for this argument could be: "Is it reasonable for people to believe the publisher's claim despite knowing that no book can deliver exceptional success to the many?"

Now, let's discuss the question type and the answer choices. The question type is Principle, which asks us to identify a principle that most strongly supports the reasoning in the argument.

a) Knowingly making a false claim is unethical only if it is reasonable for people to accept the claim as true.

This answer choice supports the argument because if everyone knows that no book can deliver exceptional success to the many, it would be unreasonable for them to believe the publisher's claim. Since it is not reasonable for people to accept the claim as true, the publisher's false claim should not be considered unethical. This is the correct answer.

b) Knowingly making a false claim is unethical if those making it derive a gain at the expense of those acting as if the claim were true.

This answer choice does not support the argument because it focuses on the gain derived at the expense of others, which is not discussed in the passage.

c) Knowingly making a false claim is unethical in only those cases in which those who accept the claim as true suffer a hardship greater than the gain they were anticipating.

This answer choice does not support the argument because it introduces the idea of hardship and gain, which are not mentioned in the passage.

d) Knowingly making a false claim is unethical only if there is a possibility that someone will act as if the claim might be true.

This answer choice does not support the argument because it focuses on the possibility of someone acting as if the claim might be true, which is not discussed in the passage. Additionally, this answer choice is too extreme, as it is possible that someone might act as if the claim is true even if they know it to be false.

e) Knowingly making a false claim is unethical in at least those cases in which for someone else to discover that the claim is false, that person must have acted as if the claim were true.

This answer choice does not support the argument because it focuses on the process of discovering the claim is false, which is not discussed in the passage.

In conclusion, the correct answer is A, as it supports the argument by stating that knowingly making a false claim is unethical only if it is reasonable for people to accept the claim as true. Since everyone knows that no book can deliver exceptional success to the many, it is not reasonable for them to believe the publisher's claim, and therefore, the publisher's false claim should not be considered unethical.