LSAT 151 | Section 2 | Logical Reasoning: Q1

LR Question 1 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: Ullman: Plato argued that because of the harmful ways …

QUESTION TYPE: Flawed Reasoning

CONCLUSION: We shouldn’t put restrictions on music.

REASONING: Musicians don’t aim to manipulate emotions. They want to create beauty.

ANALYSIS: Plato thinks we should restrict music because it can manipulate people’s emotions.

Ullman thinks that we shouldn’t restrict it because musicians don’t want to manipulate people. They just want to make beautiful music.

If you look at your cellphone while driving, you don’t want to hurt people. But you can still hurt people.

There’s a difference between what you intend to do and what actually happens.

___________

1. CORRECT. You can’t conclude what we should do regarding music based on what musicians want. We have to look at what actually happens.
2. There’s no comparison to other forms of expression. We don’t even know if music will actually be restricted.
3. Sure, but Ullman is considering Plato’s argument.
4. Similar to B. We’re only concerned with the potential harmful effects of music, not whether there’s other dangers in society.
5. This might undermine the intent part of Ullman’s argument. But this still leaves the gap between intention and result.