Must be TrueDiff: Hardest

Logic Breakdown

Passage Summary: There are only two good ways to think about prison sentences: punishment or reform. If you're focused on punishment, the crime must fit the time. Since giving repeat offenders extra time doesn't always fit the specific crime, that approach doesn't work for a punishment-based theory.

Reasoning: Acceptable sentencing theories must be either retributivist or rehabilitationist; retributivist theories must be proportional, but those that increase sentences for repeat offenders are not proportional.

Analysis: We are looking for a valid deduction based on the rules provided. We know that Retributivist theories that increase sentences for repeat offenders are not proportional. Since being proportional is a requirement for a Retributivist theory to be acceptable, any Retributivist theory that increases sentences for repeaters is unacceptable. Look for an answer that concludes these specific types of theories fail the 'acceptability' test.

Passage Stimulus

Passage Redacted

Unlock Full Passage

24.

Which one of the following can be properly inferred from the legal theorist's statements?

Correct Answer
E
E follows: A theory that holds longer sentences for repeat offenses is acceptable only if it is rehabilitationist. Retributivist versions with that feature violate proportionality and are thus unacceptable, and among acceptable theories only rehabilitationist remains.
Upgrade Your Prep

Ready to go beyond free explanations?

LSAT Perfection is the #1 modern LSAT prep platform, trusted by thousands of students for comprehensive test strategies, advanced drilling, and full analytics on every PrepTest.

Detailed explanations for 59 PrepTests
Advanced drillset builder
Personalized analytics
Built-in Wrong Answer Journal
Explore Perfection Plus for full LSAT prep