LSAT Explanation PT 38, S4, Q23: If an act of civil disobedience—willfully

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following judgments most closely conforms to the principles stated above? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Principle (Misc) question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is D. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

Let's first analyze the passage and break down its main points. The passage states two principles about acts of civil disobedience:

1. If an act of civil disobedience is done out of self-interest alone and not out of concern for others, it cannot be justified.

2. If one's conscience requires one to perform an act of civil disobedience, it is justified.

Now, let's examine the question type and what it's asking us to do. This is a Principle (Misc) question, which means we need to find the answer choice that most closely conforms to the principles stated in the passage.

Let's go through each answer choice and see how they align with the principles:

a) Keisha's protest is out of concern for the people of another country, which means it is not done out of self-interest alone. However, the passage doesn't mention whether her conscience requires her to do so. Therefore, we cannot conclude that her act is justified based on the principles provided.

b) Janice's protest is motivated by a desire to help local mine workers, so it is not done out of self-interest alone. However, her conscience does not require her to protest the law, which contradicts the second principle. Therefore, this answer choice is not correct.

c) Georgette's protest is out of concern for her fellow inmates, so it is not done out of self-interest alone. However, like answer choice (a), the passage doesn't mention whether her conscience requires her to do so. Therefore, we cannot conclude that her act is justified based on the principles provided.

d) Maria's violation of the law is done because her conscience requires her to do so, which aligns with the second principle. Additionally, although her interest as a publisher would be served by repealing the law, she acts on behalf of all publishers, indicating that her act is not done out of self-interest alone. This answer choice fulfills both principles, making it the correct answer.

e) Louise's act is not one of justified civil disobedience because her conscience does not require her to organize the parade. This answer choice negates the second principle without considering whether the act is done out of self-interest alone. Therefore, this answer choice is incorrect.

In conclusion, the correct answer is (D) because it is the only answer choice that closely conforms to both principles stated in the passage.