LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following principles, if valid, most helps to justify the editorial's argumentation? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Principle question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is D. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

Let's first analyze the argument in the passage. The government claims that nuclear power plants are safe (premise) and that the public's fear of nuclear accidents is groundless (conclusion). However, the government also limits the nuclear industry's financial liability in case of nuclear accidents to protect the industry from bankruptcy (premise). The editorial argues that the public's fear is well-founded because unlimited liability is a threat only if injury claims can be sustained, which requires injury resulting from a nuclear accident (premise).

Now, let's consider an "Evaluate" question: "Does the government's action to limit the nuclear industry's financial liability indicate that there is a real danger of a nuclear accident?"

The question type of this problem is Principle, asking us to identify the principle that most helps to justify the editorial's argumentation.

a) This answer choice talks about the government claiming something is unsafe, but in the passage, the government claims that the nuclear power plants are safe. The sufficient condition is not satisfied, so this answer is not correct.

b) This answer choice suggests that the fear is well-founded if those in control of the events stand to benefit financially from them. However, the passage does not provide evidence that the government or the nuclear industry would benefit from a nuclear accident. This answer is not correct.

c) This answer choice discusses the financial security of those responsible for the potentially dangerous thing and eliminating dependence on it. However, the passage does not provide information about financial security or dependence. This answer is not correct.

d) Correct. This answer choice states that the government sometimes makes unsupported claims about situations, but it does not act to prevent a certain kind of situation from arising unless there is a real danger that such a situation will arise. This principle aligns with the editorial's argument that the government's action to limit financial liability indicates a real danger of a nuclear accident, justifying the public's fear.

e) This answer choice talks about government action to limit a real financial threat being justified, but it does not address the public's fear or the possibility of a nuclear accident. This answer is not correct.

In conclusion, the correct answer is D, as it provides a principle that supports the editorial's argumentation that the public's fear of nuclear accidents is well-founded based on the government's actions to limit the nuclear industry's financial liability.