LSAT 105 | Section 3 | Reading Comprehension: Q12

RC Question 12 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: It can be inferred from the passage that the author would …

DISCUSSION: We can summarize what we know about the author’s thoughts on retributivism in two simple ideas:

1. Social-benefit allows for excessive punishment, while retributivism does not.
2. Still, retributivism is ultimately rooted in social-benefit considerations.

You can expect the answer to address one or both of these points.

___________

1. The passage never compares popularity.
2. CORRECT. This refers to the first point stated in the discussion above. Retributivism avoids the unfairness (excessive punishments) that social-benefit allows.
3. Reasonably, it would actually be the opposite since retributivism limits punishments to what is just and proportional.
4. It never claims we only use retributivism when social-benefit fails. Just that the ideas in retributivism might ultimately be rooted in social-benefit considerations.
5. Proportionality doesn’t equal leniency.