LSAT Explanation PT 40, S1, Q9: Journalist: A free marketplace of ideas
LSAT Question Stem
Which one of the following most accurately expresses the conclusion of the journalist's argument?
Logical Reasoning Question Type
This is a Main Conclusion question.
Correct Answer
The correct answer to this question is C.
LSAT Question Complete Explanation
This LSAT problem presents an argument from a journalist discussing the free marketplace of ideas and the role of governments in disseminating information. The question type for this problem is Main Conclusion, and we are asked to identify the conclusion of the journalist's argument from the given answer choices.
Let's analyze each answer choice:
Answer choice (A): The journalist might agree that the freedom of the marketplace of ideas is in jeopardy, but this statement is not the main point of the argument. It is more like a premise that supports the conclusion.
Answer choice (B): The journalist would likely agree that preserving a free marketplace of ideas is important. However, this statement is not the main point of the argument either. It is more like an unstated premise that supports the conclusion.
Answer choice (C): This answer choice accurately paraphrases the conclusion of the journalist's argument, which is that the control governments have over information needs to be reduced. This is the correct answer to the Main Conclusion question.
Answer choice (D): The stimulus mentions that malicious or prejudicial ideas can "prompt beneficial outcomes," which is different from saying that the ideas themselves "can be valuable." Therefore, this answer choice does not accurately represent the conclusion of the argument.
Answer choice (E): The stimulus states that "governments continue to construct near monopolies on the publication and dissemination of enormous amounts of information." This phrasing is different from answer choice (E), which claims that the government already has a monopoly on the dissemination of many kinds of information.
In conclusion, the correct answer to this Main Conclusion question is answer choice (C), which states that the control that governments have over information needs to be reduced. To solve this problem, it is essential to isolate the conclusion of the argument and then look for a paraphrase of that conclusion among the answer choices.