LSAT 112 | Section 3 | Logical Reasoning: Q9

LR Question 9 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: I agree that Hogan’s actions resulted in grievous…

QUESTION TYPE: Main Conclusion

CONCLUSION: We shouldn’t fully condemn Hogan’s actions.

REASONING: Hogan thought that Winters was the robber.

ANALYSIS: Basically, Hogan really, really hurt Winters. But he did so because he thought Winters was the robber. So the argument asks us to partially excuse Hogan due to his honest motives.

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1. This goes too far. Hogan is responsible, but we should show some leniency because Hogan had good motives.
2. No. Hogan is responsible. But the fact that Hogan thought Winters was the robber means that Hogan’s violent attack wasn’t merely psychopathic.
3. CORRECT. We can give Hogan some credit because he thought he was wounding a criminal, rather than an innocent man.
4. This is true, but its just information that supports the conclusion that we shouldn’t fully condemn Hogan’s violent actions.
5. The argument only said the actions were reprehensible other things equal. But other things aren’t equal: Hogan should be partially excused because he thought Winters was the robber.