PrepTest 153

Incorrect. This is pretty unethical on its face, but because we don't have a rule telling us so, we can't use it to justify the application of the principle. We'd need a rule about "it is unethical to steal data from a coworker" for this to be useful.

Incorrect. Again, this doesn't tell us that Rashmi made an error that Mark exploited. It just tells us that there's a snake in their office. Probably steals lunches, too.

Incorrect. Well, that sounds perfectly ethical! Rashmi didn't make a mistake, she generously offered to help. (If Mark steals her clients, she might later decide she made an error in judgment, though.)

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed

Question Type:
Strengthen (Principle)

Stimulus Summary:
Life lessons from the LSAT, here. A rule is introduced: IF someone makes an error, THEN it is unethical for a coworker to use that error to their own advantage. Then we have an application to strengthen: Mark used a coworker's list of client emails for personal gain, therefore he acted unethically.

Strategy Overview:
The rule is conditional, so it's easily applied. If the sufficient is present, the necessary must follow. Check the example for the sufficient and necessary conditions of the rule. If either is missing, finding it will allow you to properly strengthen the argument.

Answer Anticipation:
The necessary condition is here, in the conclusion: Mark acted unethically. But it's not clear if the sufficient condition is present in order to justify making that determination. We'd like one of the answer choices to tell us that Mark was, indeed, taking advantage of someone's error.

Answer Explanation:
Now that's taking advantage of someone's error. Another life lesson from the LSAT: always use BCC. This provides the sufficient condition of Rashmi making an error, and Mark taking advantage of it, so the application is correct.

Key Takeaway:
Applying a conditional rule to any given situation requires that the sufficient condition be present, in order to determine that the necessary condition must follow. So, in questions like this one, always check your application for the sufficient condition of the rule. If it's absent, it must be in your correct answer choice.

Incorrect. This just sounds like good luck, not an error on Rashmi's part. No sufficient condition, no dice!