#24 - Author's Perspective

[Administrator]

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

The correct answer choice is (E)

The question stem asks with which answer choice the author would most likely agree concerning computerized automated legal reasoning systems.

Answer choice (A): The passage specifically states at line 10 that these systems have fallen short of original predictions, so this choice is incorrect.

Answer choice (B): The hindrance to progress has come from difficulties in subtle interpretations, not lack of accessibility to legal documents, so this answer choice should be eliminated.

Answer choice (C): The author highlights the challenges that will go along with developing a system for legal analysis, but is not so skeptical as to presume that such efforts will be futile, so this answer choice is incorrect.

Answer choice (D): Rule systems represented the early attempts at legal reasoning systems, while case-based systems are the latest approach.

Answer choice (E): This is the correct answer choice. In rule systems, at line 34-37, the author notes that systems would have to be equipped with knowledge “that is far beyond their capabilities at present or in the foreseeable future.” For case-based systems, lines 50-57 state that the criteria for these systems are system dependent and fixed by their designers, and that there is a problem of developing a system that can flexibly determine the factors that make cases relevant precedents.

[lsat2016]

Hello,

Why is C wrong?

Isn't it reasonable to infer that the author would argue that the computers would more likely be used as legal research tools than as aids in legal analsysis?

"legal research tools" are referenced in line 1-3 where it says "computers have long been utilized as .. LEGAL RESEARCH SYSTEMS".

Thank you

[Adam Tyson]

Computers have been used that way, but have legal reasoning systems been used that way? The question is very narrowly focused on legal reasoning systems, those programs that are the subject of the bulk of the passage and which have proven problematic for various reasons. It's not about computers generally - that was just a background statement, introducing the idea of legal reasoning systems as a new thing that computers might be used for. Is there any evidence in the passage that a legal reasoning system, as distinct from a computer, might be used as a research tool? I think you won't find any, and that's why answer C is not supported here.

Be sure to read carefully - just because they mention research somewhere in the passage doesn't mean it applies to the question at hand. This answer was a trap, waiting for someone to read it and make the same connection you did. Don't fall for it! As you sort the answers into losers and contenders, if you liked answer C you would still need to compare it to answer E and decide which one is better. At that point you might re-read the stem and notice that it's not about computers generally. You might also return to the passage and notice that the lines you cited are not about legal reasoning systems. At that point you should be ready to decide that E is the better of the two because it deals with the subject of the question in a way that C does not.

Last comment on this point - try to shift your focus away from "why is X wrong" and towards "why is X better." We are not asked to select right answers and eliminate wrong ones on this test, like on most standardized tests. The directions tell us to pick the best answer, not the right answer. Looking for why one answer is better than another is going to serve you much better than looking for why one answer is right or why another is wrong.

Take another look with that philosophy in mind and see if you don't like C a whole lot less now.