LSAT 149 | Section 2 | Reading Comprehension: Q20

RC Question 20 Explanation

DISCUSSION: The conclusion of passage B is at the end of its first paragraph: chefs use a system of social norms that works much like an intellectual property law system.

To support this, we either can show that the system does work well, or that its functions are analogous to an intellectual property law system.

Note that law only works when it is enforced. So an answer that shows chefs can’t enforce their system weakens the argument. Whereas showing that they can enforce their system strengthens the argument.

___________

1. This is mostly neutral. Under current intellectual property law, it is also legal to be inspired by others’ works, as long as you don’t copy them exactly.
2. CORRECT. If this is true, it suggests that chefs actually enforce their norms. This supports the idea that the norms act like a system of laws. (When people break the law, they face penalties. So this shows that when people break social norms, there are also penalties. Hence, social norms are like laws.)
3. This weakens the argument: it shows that chefs actually do rely on copyright law to some extent. The author had argued that social norms replaced the intellectual property system.
4. This weakens the system. Law is normally enforced. So if the chefs can’t enforce their norms, then it isn’t like law.
5. This weakens the system. If you can’t figure out whether someone has violated the norms, then it is difficult to enforce norms.