LSAT Explanation PT 42, S2, Q21: If one has evidence that an

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following best illustrates the proposition above? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Principle (Misc) question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is C. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

The question type for this problem is Must Be True (MBT), and we are asked to find the answer choice that best illustrates the proposition stated in the passage.

The passage presents a conditional rule, which can be represented as follows:

E (evidence of act's prospective benefit to others) + I (performs act to benefit others) -> S (generally succeed in providing benefit)

To make this rule more understandable, let's use a simple example. Suppose you have evidence that giving your friend a surprise party will make them happy (E), and you decide to throw the party for their happiness (I). Then, according to the rule, you will generally succeed in making your friend happy (S).

Now, let's analyze the answer choices:

a) In this choice, the leaders have evidence that fostering diplomatic ties will reduce the chances of war, but their intent is not to benefit others; it is to improve their chances of being reelected. Therefore, this choice does not meet the "I" condition and does not illustrate the passage's rule.

b) This choice has evidence of the act's prospective benefit (E) and the intent to benefit others (I), but it lacks the success in providing the benefit (S) because the bureaucratic procedure was not successful. Thus, it does not illustrate the rule.

c) This choice is the correct answer. Betsy has evidence of the act's prospective benefit (E) when she overhears the contractor's advice, performs the act to benefit her daughter (I) by regularly changing the furnace filter, and succeeds in providing the benefit (S) by avoiding maintenance issues.

d) Sejal has evidence of the act's prospective benefit (E) from her psychology class and the intent to help Bob (I), but we do not know if her confrontation was successful in helping Bob overcome his addiction. Since the success (S) condition is not met, this choice does not illustrate the rule.

e) Zachary has the intent to benefit his parents (I) and the outcome is successful (S), but his actions are based on hope rather than evidence (E). Therefore, this choice does not meet the "E" condition and does not illustrate the passage's rule.

In conclusion, the answer choice that best illustrates the proposition in the passage is (C), as it meets all three conditions of the rule: evidence of the act's prospective benefit to others (E), intent to benefit others (I), and success in providing the benefit (S).