LSAT Explanation PT 32, S4, Q10: Every moral theory developed in the
LSAT Question Stem
The statements above, if true, most strongly support which one of the following?
Logical Reasoning Question Type
This is a Most Strongly supported question.
Correct Answer
The correct answer to this question is C.
LSAT Question Complete Explanation
This LSAT problem presents a passage that discusses moral theories in the Western tradition and how most people would not consider someone who perfectly embodies the ideals of these theories to be living a good life. The question type is "Most Strongly Supported" (MSS), which means we need to find the answer choice that is most strongly supported by the information provided in the passage.
Let's first break down the passage to understand its main points:
1. Every moral theory in the Western tradition aims to define what a good life is.
2. Most people would not consider someone who perfectly embodies the ideals of any one of these theories to be living a good life.
Now, let's go through each answer choice and see which one is most strongly supported by the information in the passage:
a) Most people desire a life for themselves and their children that is better than a merely good life.
This answer choice goes beyond the information provided in the passage. The passage states that most people wouldn't consider someone who perfectly embodies the ideals of these moral theories to be living a good life, but it doesn't say anything about desiring a life that is "better than a merely good life." So, this choice is not supported.
b) A person who fits the ideals of one moral theory in the Western tradition would not necessarily fit the ideals of another.
This answer choice is not supported by the passage because it doesn't provide any information about the differences between the moral theories. The passage only states that all the theories aim to define what a good life is.
c) Most people have a conception of a good life that does not match that of any moral theory in the Western tradition.
This answer choice is supported by the passage. The passage states that most people would not consider someone who perfectly embodies the ideals of any one of these theories to be living a good life. This implies that most people have a different conception of a good life than what is presented by these moral theories.
d) A good life as described by moral theories in the Western tradition cannot be realized.
This answer choice is not supported by the passage. The passage doesn't say anything about the realization of a good life as described by the moral theories. It only discusses people's judgment of someone who perfectly embodies the ideals of these theories.
e) It is impossible to develop a theory that accurately describes what a good life is.
This answer choice goes too far in its claim. The passage does not provide any information that suggests it is impossible to develop a theory that accurately describes a good life. It only states that most people wouldn't consider someone who perfectly embodies the ideals of the existing theories to be living a good life.
Based on our analysis, the correct answer choice is (c) Most people have a conception of a good life that does not match that of any moral theory in the Western tradition.