LSAT Explanation PT 30, S4, Q18: People who have political power tend

LSAT Question Stem

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

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Strengthen question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is B. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

First, let's break down the passage and analyze its argument. The passage states:

Premise: People with political power tend to see new technologies as a means of extending or protecting their power, and they generally see new ethical arguments and ideas as a threat to it.

Conclusion: Technical ingenuity usually brings benefits to those who have this ingenuity, whereas ethical inventiveness brings only pain to those who have this inventiveness.

The structure of the argument presents a relationship between political power, new technologies, and new ethical arguments. To help illustrate this, imagine a simple example: a politician who embraces social media (a new technology) to extend their influence and reach more voters, but feels threatened by a new ethical argument that questions their policy decisions.

Now, let's create an "Evaluate" question for the argument: "Do politically powerful people have the ability to reward or punish those with technical ingenuity or ethical inventiveness?"

The question type for this LSAT problem is Strengthen, and we are asked to identify the statement that, if true, most strengthens the argument.

Let's go through each answer choice:

a) This answer choice discusses people who justify current political power, but it doesn't directly address the relationship between technical ingenuity, ethical inventiveness, and the benefits or pain experienced by those who possess these traits. It's not the strongest choice.

b) This answer choice directly addresses our "Evaluate" question. If politically powerful people reward those they believe are useful (technical ingenuity) and punish those they believe are a threat (ethical inventiveness), it strengthens the argument that technical ingenuity brings benefits and ethical inventiveness brings pain. This is the correct answer.

c) This answer choice states that ethical inventiveness and technical ingenuity are never possessed by the same individuals. However, it doesn't address how political power influences the benefits or pain experienced by those who possess these traits. It doesn't strengthen the argument.

d) This answer choice mentions that new technologies are often used to defeat those with political power, but it doesn't address how the benefits or pain are experienced by those with technical ingenuity or ethical inventiveness. It doesn't strengthen the argument.

e) This answer choice states that many people with ethical inventiveness conceal their novel ethical arguments for fear of retribution. While this implies that they may experience pain, it doesn't directly address the benefits experienced by those with technical ingenuity. Moreover, it only mentions "many people," which is not a strong enough statement to strengthen the argument significantly.

In conclusion, the correct answer is B, as it directly addresses our "Evaluate" question and strengthens the argument by linking the actions of politically powerful people to the benefits or pain experienced by those with technical ingenuity or ethical inventiveness.