LSAT 6 | Section 2 | Logical Reasoning: Q21

LR Question 21 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: Policy Adviser: Freedom of speech is not only a basic…

QUESTION TYPE: Strengthen

CONCLUSION: Freedom of speech is the only rational policy for this government to adopt.

REASONING: Free speech allows good ideas to flourish. Bad ideas can be shot down. There is no downside: nothing is ever gained by forcing citizens to communicate their thoughts secretly.

Further, freedom of speech is a basic human right.

ANALYSIS: The argument already gives us a few benefits of free speech, and it claims there are no downsides. Since there are no downsides the only way to strengthen the argument would be to find another benefit.

___________

1. This shows that limiting freedom of speech might also be a viable policy. This doesn’t really affect the argument.
2. This slightly weakens the argument. The possibility of responding to dangerous ideas rationally was one of the proposed benefits of free speech.
3. This doesn’t really affect anything. It would be possible to have a policy of free speech whether or not a government protected those other two rights.
4. CORRECT. This is a clear additional benefit to governments if they adopt a policy of freedom of speech. Governments don’t like being overthrown.
5. This weakens the argument. Free speech doesn’t seem to produce any more great ideas.

Recap: The question begins with “Policy Adviser: Freedom of speech is not only a basic”. It is a Strengthen question. Learn how to master LSAT Strengthen questions on the LSAT Logical Reasoning question types page.