LR Question 14 Explanation
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.
___________
- 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.
- 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.
- We’re not told whether we have any moral commitment to destroy books to help the present generation. That seems sort of strange.
- CORRECT. If we shouldn’t destroy anything that will help, then we shouldn’t destroy books. They’re likely to help the future.
- 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.
More Resources for Principle Questions
- Intro Course lesson: This intro course lesson covers Principle questions.
- Mastery Seminar lesson: This LR Mastery seminar lesson covers principle questions.
This one is tough because I interpreted “future generations” as excluding the self as does “others.” The correct answer choice gives the idea that we’re supporting ourselves, which isn’t supported by the stimulus.
The definition of posterity is “all future generations of people”. So, D (the correct answer) says we’re morally obligated not to destroy anything that’ll enrich future generations. That’s consistent with what the stimulus says.
If the confusion arose from not understanding what posterity means, that’s completely understandable (as without knowing what posterity means, you’re right that D doesn’t seem to address future generations). I’d recommend always looking up words you’re unsure of as the LSAT always uses the dictionary definition of words.
If that doesn’t address your confusion, let me know! Happy to elaborate.