LSAT Explanation PT 28, S3, Q14: If citizens do not exercise their

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following most accurately expresses the main conclusion of the argument? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Main Conclusion question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is A. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

First, let's analyze the argument in the passage. The passage discusses the importance of voting in a democracy and the potential consequences of large numbers of people not voting. It argues that although one person's vote may seem insignificant, the combined effect of many people not voting can lead to the crumbling of democratic institutions and the loss of valuable social cohesion. The passage also presents an analogy with theft, stating that organized society would be impossible if theft were common, even though a single dishonest act might have an insignificant effect on society.

In this argument, we have the following structure:

1. Premise: If citizens do not exercise their right to vote, democratic institutions will crumble and valuable social cohesion will be lost.

2. Premise: One person's vote can only make an imperceptible difference, but we must consider the likely effects of large numbers of people failing to vote.

3. Premise: An act or omission by one person is not right if such an act or omission done by large numbers of people would be socially damaging (with an analogy to theft).

4. Implied Conclusion: People in a democracy should not neglect to vote.

The question type is Main Conclusion, which asks us to identify the main conclusion of the argument. The correct answer is A. Now, let's discuss each answer choice in detail.

a) People in a democracy should not neglect to vote.

This answer choice accurately expresses the implied main conclusion of the argument. It captures the idea that, despite the seemingly insignificant impact of one person's vote, people should still vote to prevent the negative consequences of large-scale non-voting.

b) Dishonest acts and failure to vote are equally damaging.

This answer choice is incorrect because it makes an unjustified comparison between dishonest acts and failure to vote. The passage uses theft as an analogy to illustrate the principle of considering the effects of large numbers of people acting (or not acting) in a certain way, but it does not claim that these two actions are equally damaging.

c) There is a risk that individual antisocial acts will be imitated by others.

This answer choice is incorrect because it does not address the main focus of the argument, which is the importance of voting. It also does not capture the idea that the combined effect of many people not voting can lead to negative consequences.

d) A single person's vote or wrongful act can in fact make a great deal of difference.

This answer choice contradicts the passage, which states that one person's vote can only make an imperceptible difference. The argument is about the importance of considering the likely effects of large numbers of people failing to vote, not the impact of a single person's vote or wrongful act.

e) Large-scale dishonesty and neglect of public duty will be destructive of democratic and other societies.

This answer choice is incorrect because it does not deal with the main topic of voting and puts undue emphasis on dishonesty and neglect of public duty. The passage focuses on the importance of voting and the potential consequences of large numbers of people not voting, while this answer choice broadens the scope to include other societies and public duties.

In conclusion, the correct answer is A, as it accurately expresses the implied main conclusion of the argument, which is that people in a democracy should not neglect to vote to prevent the negative consequences of large-scale non-voting.