LSAT Explanation PT 31, S2, Q1: Moralist: TV talk shows are contributing

LSAT Question Stem

The moralist's and the TV talk show host's statements provide the most support for holding that they disagree about whether 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Disagree question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is D. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

First, let's analyze the argument in the passage. The moralist's argument has a premise and a conclusion. The premise is that TV talk shows constantly show the least moral people in society, and the conclusion is that TV talk shows are contributing to the moral decline in our country. The TV talk show host's argument also has a premise and a conclusion. The premise is that TV talk shows simply show people what they want to see, and the conclusion is that if there is a moral decline, it's not because of TV talk shows.

The question type is a Disagree question, which asks us to identify the point on which the moralist and the TV talk show host disagree.

Now, let's discuss each answer choice:

a) TV talk shows should be censored

Neither the moralist nor the TV talk show host directly discuss whether TV talk shows should be censored, so we cannot determine if they disagree on this point.

b) people's moral standards have changed

The moralist implies that there has been a moral decline, but the TV talk show host does not directly address this issue. They might agree that there has been a moral decline, but the talk show host simply argues that it's not because of TV talk shows.

c) TV talk shows influence people's conception of what is the norm

The moralist believes that TV talk shows influence people's conception of the norm in a negative way. However, the TV talk show host does not directly address this point. They might agree that TV talk shows influence people's conception of the norm, but their argument focuses on the cause of the moral decline, not the influence on people's conception of the norm.

d) TV talk shows, by presenting immoral guests, are causing a moral decline

This answer choice directly addresses the disagreement between the moralist and the TV talk show host. The moralist claims that TV talk shows are contributing to the moral decline by presenting immoral guests, while the TV talk show host argues that if there is a moral decline, it's not because of TV talk shows. They clearly disagree on this point, making this the correct answer.

e) it is wrong not to let the viewers decide what they want to see

The moralist does not address this point, while the TV talk show host argues that letting viewers decide what they want to see is not wrong. Since the moralist does not express an opinion on this issue, we cannot determine if they disagree on this point.

In conclusion, the correct answer is (d) TV talk shows, by presenting immoral guests, are causing a moral decline, as this is the point on which the moralist and the TV talk show host disagree.