LSAT Explanation PT 39, S2, Q12: Politician: It is wrong for the

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following can be properly inferred from the politician's statements? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Must Be True question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is A. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

First, let's analyze the passage and break it down into simpler terms. The politician is stating that it is wrong for the government to restrict the liberty of individuals, except in cases when not doing so would allow individuals to cause harm. They then state that publishing is a liberty, and offending is not causing harm.

Now, let's identify the question type and what it's asking us to do. This is a Must Be True (MBT) question, which means we need to find the answer choice that can be properly inferred from the politician's statements.

Let's go through each answer choice:

a) It is not right for the government to restrict the publication of literature that is only offensive.

This answer choice aligns with the politician's statements that publishing is a liberty and offending is not causing harm. Therefore, if something is only offensive, it is not causing harm, and it would be wrong for the government to restrict it. This answer choice is correct.

b) It is not wrong for the government to restrict individuals' liberty when failing to do so would allow individuals to cause harm.

This answer choice is tempting, but it's not entirely accurate. The politician says "except perhaps" when referring to cases where failing to restrict liberty would allow individuals to cause harm. This means that it might not be wrong in those cases, but it's not guaranteed. So, this answer choice is not correct.

c) It is offensive for the government to restrict the liberty of individuals to publish, but it is not harmful.

This answer choice is about whether the government's actions are offensive or not. The passage doesn't provide any information about this aspect, so we cannot infer this statement. This answer choice is not correct.

d) It is not wrong for individuals to publish literature that is offensive.

This answer choice is out of scope. The passage focuses on whether it's right or wrong for the government to restrict liberties, not on the actions of individuals themselves. Thus, this answer choice is not correct.

e) It is not right for the government to restrict the publication of literature that does not cause serious harm.

This answer choice is close but not entirely accurate. The passage talks about harm in general, not specifically serious harm. Something that doesn't cause serious harm might still cause harm, making this answer choice not correct.

In conclusion, the correct answer is (a) because it aligns with the politician's statements about publishing being a liberty and offending not causing harm.