LSAT 9 | Section 2 | Logical Reasoning: Q16

LR Question 16 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: Some people take their moral cues from governmental codes …

QUESTION TYPE: Must Be False

REASONING: People who take their moral cues from law don’t believe that something legal can be immoral.

ANALYSIS: These people think legal = moral. We’re asked to identify the belief that contradicts this view (i.e. must be false to these people).

So, we’re looking for an answer that implies that something can be legal but still morally wrong.

___________

1. CORRECT. If there are some morally wrong acts that are not covered by law, then it’s possible for an act to be legal but immoral. That directly contradicts the belief that legality = morality.
2. This says if it’s illegal, it’s always immoral. But the original belief is concerned with legal acts, not illegal ones.
3. Probably true. But we don’t care about people breaking the law. This does nothing to challenge the idea that legal = moral.
4. If anything, this supports the original belief. It reinforces the idea that laws reflect society’s moral standards.
5. Completely off-topic. Economic efficiency was never addressed and this doesn’t relate to the relationship between legal and moral at all.