LSAT Explanation PT 27, S4, Q18: Book publishers have traditionally published a

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following statements, if true, most seriously weakens the argument? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Weaken question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is B. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

First, let's analyze the argument in the passage. The argument is structured as follows:

Premise 1: Book publishers have traditionally published a few books of intrinsic merit even though these books were unlikely to make a profit.

Premise 2: Nowadays, fewer of these books are being published.

Conclusion: Publishers now, more than ever, are more interested in making money than in publishing books of intrinsic value.

The question type is Weaken, which means we're looking for an answer choice that weakens the argument by undermining the conclusion or the relationship between the premises and the conclusion.

Before we discuss the answer choices, let's come up with an "Evaluate" question for this argument: "Are there any other reasons for the decline in the number of books of intrinsic value being published?"

Now, let's analyze the answer choices:

a) Book publishers have always been very interested in making money.

- This answer choice doesn't weaken the argument because it doesn't address the change in the number of books of intrinsic value being published. It only states that publishers have always been interested in making money, but it doesn't explain why fewer books of intrinsic value are being published now.

b) There has been a notable decline in the quality of books written in recent years.

- This is the correct answer. It weakens the argument by providing an alternative explanation for the decline in the number of books of intrinsic value being published. If the quality of books has declined, it's possible that there are fewer books of intrinsic value available for publishers to publish, which could explain the decline without attributing it to publishers' increased interest in making money.

c) In the past, often books of intrinsic value would unexpectedly make a sizable profit.

- This answer choice doesn't weaken the argument because it doesn't address the change in the number of books of intrinsic value being published. It only states that in the past, some books of intrinsic value made a profit, but it doesn't explain why fewer such books are being published now.

d) There have always been authors unwilling to be published unless a profit is guaranteed.

- This answer choice doesn't weaken the argument because it doesn't address the change in the number of books of intrinsic value being published. It only states that there have always been authors who prioritize profit, but it doesn't explain why fewer books of intrinsic value are being published now.

e) In recent years, profits in the book publishing industry have been declining.

- This answer choice doesn't weaken the argument because it doesn't provide an alternative explanation for the decline in the number of books of intrinsic value being published. Instead, it may even strengthen the argument by suggesting that publishers are more focused on making money due to declining profits.

In conclusion, answer choice B is the correct answer because it provides an alternative explanation for the decline in the number of books of intrinsic value being published, which weakens the argument that publishers are now more interested in making money than in publishing books of intrinsic value.