LSAT 159 | Section 3 | Logical Reasoning: Q14

LR Question 14 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: Generally, open discussion of a false and pernicious idea …

QUESTION TYPE: Principle

CONCLUSION: Certain misconceptions can become more popular, not less, when they are openly discussed.

REASONING: They are so appealing that exposure through debate can strengthen them.

ANALYSIS: Usually, debate weakens false ideas. But in this case, the author is saying there’s some misconceptions that become even more attractive precisely because they’re talked about.

So we’re looking for a principle that says debate usually helps expose falsehoods, but not always. It can sometimes help spread them.

___________

1. The stimulus does not say or imply anything about suppression of speech. It describes what happens when ideas are discussed, not what governments should do about it.
2. This adds a value judgment (“it’s better”) that isn’t in the stimulus.
3. This just compares two categories but misses the point about discussion and popularity. The author even uses pernicious ideas and misconceptions somewhat synonymously, but that’s beside their main point.
4. CORRECT. While discussion usually exposes bad ideas, it doesn’t always work that way. Sometimes it can spread misconceptions instead of correcting them. So debate doesn’t necessarily lead to a greater acceptance of truth.
5. It does say that certain misconceptions are appealing, but not necessarily because they’re false. So this isn’t supported.