The frequently expressed view that written constitutions are inherentl

Question

The frequently expressed view that written constitutions are inherently more liberal than unwritten ones is false. No written constitution is more than a paper with words on it until those words are both interpreted and applied. Properly understood, then, a constitution is the sum of those procedures through which the power of the state is legitimately exercised and limited. Therefore, even a written constitution becomes a liberal constitution only when it is interpreted and applied in a liberal way.

If the statements in the argument are all true, which one of the following must also be true on the basis of them?

(A) A careful analysis of the written text of a constitution can show that the constitution is not a liberal one.
(B) It is impossible to determine that a written constitution is liberal merely through careful analysis of the written text.
(C) There are no advantages to having a written rather than an unwritten constitution.
(D) Constitutions that are not written are more likely to be liberal than are constitutions that are written.
(E) A constitution is a liberal constitution if it is possible to interpret it in a liberal way.

mads · Answer

IMO it is B.
(A) A careful analysis of the written text of a constitution can show that the constitution is not a liberal one.
 >> weakens the argument. 
(B) It is impossible to determine that a written constitution is liberal merely through careful analysis of the written text.
 >> Yes, until it is interpreted and applied in a liberal way constitution seems to be not liberal. 
(C) There are no advantages to having a written rather than an unwritten constitution.
 >> Not relevant 
(D) Constitutions that are not written are more likely to be liberal than are constitutions that are written.
 >> This is mentioned as false in the argument. 
(E) A constitution is a liberal constitution if it is possible to interpret it in a liberal way.
 >> This is the the same sentense that appears in argument.

sushma0805 · Answer

B should be answer,look at the 2nd line "No written constitution is more than a paper with words on it until those words are both interpreted and applied. " , here the word  "NO"  goes with strong word  "impossible"  in the ans choice.
option E,talks in general abt all types of institutions,in arg presented we r told only abt written constitutions,  "Therefore, even a written constitution becomes a liberal constitution only when it is interpreted and applied in a liberal way."

abhas59 · Answer

E says that "A constitution is a liberal constitution if it is possible to interpret it in a liberal way". The stimulus says that written constitution cannot be said liberal unless the procedures written are "interpreted and applied". The emphasis on implementation of procedures is overlooked in option E.
E would be true if it would be "A constitution is a liberal constitution if it is possible to interpret & apply it in a liberal way"

Only B option remains from others to be true.
Hope I am able to clear your doubt.

krishnasty · Answer

IMO, B

The reason being the the last line implies that constitution becomes liberal  only when is it interpreted and applied in a liberal way. 
Option B uses 'merely' to depict that application of the constitution DOES play a role in determining the nature of the constitution.

Wats the OA??

IndigoIntentions · Answer

OA is B .  Taken from Barron's LSAT. ( googled it ).

E) is true because the argument says that it is liberal constitution only when interpreted in a liberal way. The option however says "if its possible to interpret in a liberal way". Possibility of interpretation does not equal the actual interpretation. It has to be interpreted, not just whether the possibility exists or not.

GMATBusters · Answer

Must Be True-SN.  The correct answer choice is (B)

Answer choice (A): Since a constitution becomes liberal or otherwise ONLY WHEN it is interpreted and applied in a liberal fashion, a careful analysis of written text is definitely not sufficient to show whether or not a constitution is liberal, and this choice is wrong. If you eliminated this choice because the stimulus did not discuss what proves that a constitution is not liberal, you got away with one. The second and third sentences establish that a constitution has no nature until it is interpreted and applied. Those conditions remain necessary for any interpretation, not merely the one mentioned in the last sentence.

Answer choice (B): This is the correct answer choice, and is exactly what the stimulus is driving at in the last sentence. It is necessary that we observe both interpretation and application before we can tell that a written constitution is liberal, so analysis is not enough.

Answer choice (C): The stimulus never suggested that written or unwritten constitutions were better, and no comparison between them could be justified by the stimulus, so this choice is incorrect.

Answer choice (D): There is no information in the stimulus that leads to this conclusion, and this choice is incorrect. You should not assume that unwritten constitutions require less interpretation, or are more likely to be liberal, when the stimulus has not given you any information about such constitutions.

Answer choice (E): Since a constitution is liberal only after actual interpretation and application, mere possibility does not make a constitution liberal, and this choice is wrong. Also, this choice could be contradictory to the main point of the stimulus. If this choice were true, certain constitutions might be inherently more liberal than others.

Source:  https://forum.powerscore.com/lsat/viewtopic.php?t=8845

Nightmare007 · Answer

The frequently expressed view that written constitutions are inherently more liberal than unwritten ones is false. No written constitution is more than a paper with words on it  until those words are both interpreted and applied . Properly understood, then, a constitution is the sum of those procedures through which the power of the state is legitimately exercised and limited. Therefore, even a written constitution becomes a liberal constitution only when  it is interpreted and applied in a liberal way.
 
If the statements in the argument are all true, which one of the following must also be true on the basis of them?
(A) A careful analysis of the written text of a constitution can show that the constitution is not a liberal one.
 (B) It is impossible to determine that a written constitution is liberal merely through careful analysis of the written text.  - CORRECT - They are not more than paper and pen until they are interpreted and applied.
(C) There are no advantages to having a written rather than an unwritten constitution.
(D) Constitutions that are not written are more likely to be liberal than are constitutions that are written.
(E) A constitution is a liberal constitution if it is possible to  interpret it in a liberal way. 
-
NOT ONLY INTERPRET BUT ALSO APPLIED.

Answer should be B rather than E. because of highlightened text.

Bunuel · Answer

Same stem Conclusion question: https://gmatclub.com/forum/the-frequent ... 06603.html

robu1 · Answer

E can be eliminated based on conditional reasoning.

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The frequently expressed view that written constitutions are inherentl

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