Computers have long been utilized in the sphere of law in the form of word processors, spreadsheets, legal research systems, and practice management systems. ███
Problem with Early Methods ·Underestimated difficulty of interpretation
E.g., is a mobile home in a trailer park a house or a motor vehicle? That requires interpretation. Many laws contain vague concepts in order to be flexible. But to apply those laws requires a lot of contextual knowledge about the world.
Problem with Modern Methods ·The problem of interpretation is still present
Because the computer still needs to figure out which cases are similar in relevant ways.
Passage Style
Problem-analysis
Single position
27.
Which one of the following ██ █████████ ██ ███ ███████ ██ ██ █████████ ██████████████ ██ ████ ████████ ████ ██████████ ███ ███████████ ██ ████████████ █████ █████████ ████████
Question Type
Stated
The author discusses statutes in P2: “many notions invoked in the text of a statute may be deliberately left undefined so as to allow the law to be adapted to unforeseen circumstances.” So it’s the fact that certain concepts are left undefined that makes things difficult for legal reasoning systems.
a
complexity of syntax
Not stated. Complex wording isn’t the problem. The problem is an absence of wording: certain concepts are left undefined.
b
unavailability of relevant ██████████
Not stated as a characteristic of statutes. Precedents are judicial decisions or interpretations, and are discussed in P3. We’re being asked about statutes, which are written laws passed by legislature, and are discussed in P2.
c
intentional vagueness and ████████████
Stated in P2. Certain concepts are left undefined or vague in order to allow the law to be adapted to unforeseen circumstances. This makes things difficult for rule-based legal reasoning systems.
d
overly narrow intent
Not stated. The problem isn’t that statutes are written with too narrow an intent. Too the contrary—the problem is that in order to prevent statutes from being overly narrow and rigid, certain concepts aren’t defined.
e
incompatibility with previous ████████
Not stated. The problem isn’t how one statute relates to another. The problem is that within an individual statute, certain concepts are left undefined.
Difficulty
84% of people who answer get this correct
This is a moderately difficult question.
It is somewhat easier than other questions in this passage.
CURVE
Score of students with a 50% chance of getting this right
25%144
152
75%160
Analysis
Stated
Law
Problem-analysis
Single position
Answer Popularity
PopularityAvg. score
a
5%
159
b
5%
159
c
84%
166
d
5%
159
e
2%
156
Question history
You don't have any history with this question.. yet!
You've discovered a premium feature!
Subscribe to unlock everything that 7Sage has to offer.
Hold on there, stranger! You need a free account for that.
We love that you want to get going. Just create a free account below—it only takes a minute—and then you can continue!
Hold on there, stranger! You need a free account for that.
We love that you came here to read all the amazing posts from our 300,000+ members. They all have accounts too! Just create a free account below—it only takes a minute—and then you’re free to discuss anything!
Hold on there, stranger! You need a free account for that.
We love that you want to give us feedback! Just create a free account below—it only takes a minute—and then you’re free to vote on this!
Subscribers can learn all the LSAT secrets.
Happens all the time: now that you've had a taste of the lessons, you just can't stop -- and you don't have to! Click the button.