LSAT Explanation PT 42, S4, Q8: When presented with the evidence against

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following judgments best illustrates the principle illustrated by the argument 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

The question type for this problem is Must Be True (MBT). The passage tells us about Ellison, who admitted to illegal transactions after being confronted with evidence. However, the evidence was obtained illegally, so the company can ask him to stop but cannot justifiably punish him. We are looking for an answer choice that illustrates the same principle, where punishment is not justified due to the evidence being obtained through improper means.

Let's go through the answer choices:

a) This choice involves Long stealing from Price after Price confessed to stealing from Long. The principle here is that two wrongs don't make a right, which is different from the principle in the passage. So, this answer choice is incorrect.

b) In this choice, Shakila doesn't report her secretary for illegally receiving cable because she once did the same thing. The principle here is that hypocritical reporting is not justified, which is not the same as the principle in the passage. So, this answer choice is incorrect.

c) This choice involves Sarah's parents not punishing her for sneaking out because the person who reported her (Takashi) had also violated a rule. The principle here is that punishment cannot be based on the report of someone who is guilty themselves, which is slightly different from the principle in the passage. So, this answer choice is incorrect.

d) In this choice, Kuttner admits to setting illegal animal traps after being discovered by a conservation officer who was trespassing. Like in the passage, the evidence against the offender is gained illegally, which means punishment is not justified in both cases. This answer choice correctly illustrates the principle from the passage, so it is the correct answer.

e) This choice involves the board of directors not taking action against Ramirez for lying because they have pardoned others guilty of similar improprieties. The principle here is that those in power cannot justifiably punish one person for an act that went unpunished when committed by another, which is different from the principle in the passage. So, this answer choice is incorrect.