LSAT 25, Logical Reasoning II, Q14, LSATHacks

LR Question 14 Explanation, by LSATHacks

QUESTION TEXT: We have a moral obligation not to destroy books, even…

QUESTION TYPE: Principle

CONCLUSION: We have a moral duty to not destroy books.

REASONING: If books survive, they will help future generations.

ANALYSIS: Why should we care about future generations, when destroying books is so much fun? The argument takes for granted that we should help the future.

___________

1. This isn’t good enough, we need to be more specific. The author thinks we should improve the lives of future people, not just other people.
2. The author is talking about all books, including those that were produced in the present. It doesn’t matter whether books were handed down to us by our ancestors.
3. We’re not told whether we have any moral commitment to destroy books to help the present generation. That seems sort of strange.
4. CORRECT. If we shouldn’t destroy anything that will help, then we shouldn’t destroy books. They’re likely to help the future.
5. Someone we know? By definition, we don’t know the people who don’t exist yet, but will exist in the future.

Recap: The question begins with “We have a moral obligation not to destroy books, even”. It is a Principle question. Learn more about LSAT Principle questions in our guide to LSAT Logical Reasoning question types.

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