LSAT Explanation PT 31, S2, Q7: Social critic: The whole debate over

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following is most strongly supported by the passage? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Most Strongly supported question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is D. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

First, let's analyze the passage. The social critic argues that the debate over the legal right of rock singers to use violent lyrics is missing the point. They acknowledge that legally, there is very little that may not be said, but they emphasize that not everything that is legally allowed should be said. They also mention that violence existed before the popularity of rock music with violent lyrics. However, the critic highlights that words have the power to change the way we see things and the way we act.

The question type is a Must Be True (MSS) question, which asks us to find the answer choice that is most strongly supported by the passage.

Now, let's evaluate the answer choices:

a) If rock music that contains violent lyrics is morally wrong, then it should be illegal.

This answer choice is not supported by the passage, as the critic does not argue for making violent lyrics illegal. They emphasize the distinction between legality and what ought to be said.

b) The law should be changed so that the government is mandated to censor rock music that contains violent lyrics.

Similar to answer choice (a), the passage does not advocate for changing the law or government censorship. The critic focuses on the responsibility of rock musicians to choose what they say, not on legal restrictions.

c) Violent rock song lyrics do not incite violence, they merely reflect the violence in society.

This answer choice contradicts the critic's assertion that words have the power to change the way we see things and the way we act. While the passage acknowledges that violence existed before the popularity of rock music, it does not claim that violent lyrics merely reflect violence in society.

d) If rock musicians voluntarily censor their violent lyrics, this may help to reduce violence in society.

This answer choice is supported by the passage. The critic argues that words have the power to change the way we see things and the way we act. Therefore, if rock musicians choose to censor their violent lyrics, it may have a positive impact on reducing violence in society.

e) Stopping the production of rock music that contains violent lyrics would eliminate much of the violence within society.

This answer choice goes too far. The passage does not claim that stopping the production of rock music with violent lyrics would eliminate much of the violence in society. It focuses on the potential impact of words on our actions but does not make such a broad claim about eliminating violence.

Based on our analysis, the correct answer is (d).