Logical reasoning PrepTest 118 · Section 1 · Question 16

Incorrect. This answer reflects a corollary belief that the author uses to highlight the absurdity of an underlying belief, so it's a premise of the argument.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed

Question Type:
Main Point

Stimulus Summary:
Believing the government's view towards rights is correct is the same as believing that people have no moral rights, so the government's views towards rights may be wrong.

Answer Anticipation:
"But that does not mean" is a common phrase used to introduce a conclusion since it's casting an opinion on an opposing point. Here, the rest of the argument supports that as the conclusion by showing that it leads to a belief that the author clearly views as wrong—that people have no moral rights. This is a form of a reductio ad absurdum argument, a common method of reasoning on the LSAT, and so we can feel confident that the pivot statement is the main point of the argument.

Answer Explanation:
This answer reflects the author's main point. The argument pivots to this opinion, that is then supported by showing how a belief that they are correct would lead to an absurd conclusion.

Key Takeaway:
Pivots are often to main points, especially when those pivots are judgments about an opposing point. Additionally, knowing common methods of reasoning—here, the reductio ad absurdum—can help understand the structure of an argument that falls into that method quickly, allowing you to find the conclusion with minimal work.

Incorrect. This answer is an assumption of the argument, leading to the implication that believing people have no moral rights is absurd. It's not directly stated in the argument, and in a Main Point question, that's usually (but not always) a good sign that it's wrong.

Incorrect. This answer is never stated in the argument. While it does say the police will carry out the directives of officials and courts, it doesn't say they agree with them.

Incorrect. There's no statement in this vein in the stimulus, so it's incorrect.