#28 - Method of Reasoning-AP

[Administrator]

Complete Question Explanation
(See the complete passage discussion here: lsat/viewtopic.php?t=11630)

The correct answer choice is (B)

This question stem asks what function is served by the examples of situations that are open to differing interpretations (lines 25-30). These are offered to show that rule-based systems underestimated the complexity of interpretation that can arise at each stage of a legal argument.

Answer choice (A): Given the fact that the author focuses on the inability thus far to create legal reasoning systems, this answer choice is incorrect.

Answer choice (B): This is the correct answer choice, consistent with our prephrased answer above.

Answer choice (C): Since the issues exemplify the challenges of rule based systems, this answer choice is incorrect.

Answer choice (D): The referenced examples show the difficulties of adapting to novel situations, so this answer choice should be eliminated.

Answer choice (E): The discussion of precedents is pertinent to case-based systems rather than rule-based systems, which is the context for the referenced examples, so this answer choice is incorrect.

[lathlee]

Hi. I cannot seperate between b and C for the correct answer choice for this occasion. They are both correct according to Text

[Shannon Parker]

Hi lathlee,

The reason answer choice B is correct, is that the passage begins by describing the early attempts at developing computer systems to analyze the law, by way of rules-based systems. It then provides several examples issues that cannot be handled by systems based on black and white rules, but rather require interpretation.

The way that you can eliminate answer choice C, is by looking at the rest of the passage after the examples in lines 25-30. The author goes on to describe how new developers are creating computer systems that can analyze these types of situations. While they are not perfected yet, because they can only analyze factors that are pre-programmed, they are progressing. Thus the notion in answer choice C, that "computer systems are in principle incapable of handling" these issues, is disputed in the remainder of the passage.

Hope this helps to clear it up.

[lathlee]

thank you it helps a lot