LSAT Main Point: Cosmic Justice Law Passage
Master Main Point Identification in LSAT Reading Comprehension with Detailed Analysis & Worked Examples
Why Main Point Questions Matter for LSAT Success
Main point questions test your ability to identify the central conclusion of an argument—a skill that underlies approximately 60% of the entire LSAT. While explicit main point questions account for only 2-3 questions per test, the ability to quickly and accurately identify conclusions is essential for strengthen, weaken, assumption, flaw, and method of reasoning questions across both Logical Reasoning and Reading Comprehension sections.
The Cosmic Justice law passage, featuring philosopher Thomas Sowell's concept, exemplifies how LSAT tests this skill in the context of legal and philosophical argumentation. This passage appears as a paired passage set, making it particularly valuable for understanding how to identify main points when dealing with complementary texts.
Understanding Main Point vs. Topic
❌ Topic (What It's About)
The subject matter being discussed
Example from Cosmic Justice:
"Thomas Sowell's concept of cosmic justice"
This is neutral description. It tells you the subject but not what the author argues about it. Wrong answers often just state the topic.
✓ Main Point (The Argument)
The author's conclusion or position
Example from Cosmic Justice:
"Cosmic justice should not guide human legal systems because humans lack the omniscience necessary to render perfect justice"
This is argumentative. It states a conclusion (should not guide law) supported by reasoning (humans lack omniscience). This is the main point.
The Critical Distinction
Main point questions do not ask "What is this passage about?" They ask "What does the author conclude or argue?" The main point must:
- Be supported by other claims in the passage (not support other claims)
- Represent the ultimate conclusion of the argument
- Account for the overall purpose and structure of the entire passage
- Express a judgment, evaluation, recommendation, or conclusion (not just description)
The Cosmic Justice Paired Passages: Complete Analysis
Passage A: External Analysis of Sowell's Concept
Key Content Summary:
Passage A explains that cosmic justice, as defined by Thomas Sowell, refers to perfect justice that only an omniscient being could render—justice that accounts for all relevant factors and circumstances. The passage contrasts this with traditional justice, which focuses on fair processes and impartial procedures rather than perfect outcomes.
The passage argues that human limitations make cosmic justice impossible to achieve through human law, and therefore our legal systems should pursue traditional, process-based justice rather than attempting to dispense cosmic justice.
Main Point of Passage A:
"Human legal systems should not attempt to achieve cosmic justice because humans lack the omniscience required to render such perfect justice; instead, law should focus on fair processes characteristic of traditional justice."
This main point is supported by: (1) the definition of cosmic justice as requiring omniscience, (2) the fact that humans lack this omniscience, and (3) the contrast with achievable traditional justice.
Passage B: Sowell's Own Argument
Key Content Summary:
Written by Thomas Sowell himself, Passage B directly presents his argument against cosmic justice. Sowell explains that traditional justice concerns itself with impartial processes—whether the rules were followed fairly and procedures were just. He emphasizes that this is achievable by human institutions.
In contrast, cosmic justice requires knowing all circumstances, contexts, and consequences—something only an omniscient entity could possess. Sowell argues that pursuing cosmic justice through law is misguided precisely because it demands knowledge beyond human capability.
Main Point of Passage B:
"Legal systems should focus on traditional, process-oriented justice rather than cosmic justice because cosmic justice requires omniscience that humans do not and cannot possess."
This is Sowell's prescriptive conclusion, directly supported by his explanation of the impossible knowledge requirements for cosmic justice and the attainable nature of procedural fairness.
Step-by-Step Method: Finding the Main Point
Step 1: Read for the Author's Purpose
As you read, constantly ask: "Why did the author write this passage? What point are they trying to make?"
Application to Cosmic Justice Passage A:
The author isn't just explaining what cosmic justice means—they're arguing that human legal systems should not pursue it. The prescriptive language ("should not") signals argumentative purpose, not mere description.
What to Look For:
- Evaluative language: should, ought, must, need to, it is important that
- Judgments: problematic, beneficial, effective, misguided, wise
- Recommendations or conclusions about what to do or believe
Step 2: Identify Conclusion Indicators
Conclusion indicator words signal that what follows is a claim being argued for:
Strong Indicators:
- Therefore
- Thus
- Consequently
- It follows that
- Hence
- So
Moderate Indicators:
- Shows that
- Demonstrates that
- Proves that
- Indicates that
- Suggests that
Important Note:
Not all main points have conclusion indicators. Sometimes the main point appears without any signal words, especially in the first or last sentence. That's why Step 3 is crucial.
Step 3: Apply the "Because Test"
This is the most reliable method for identifying the main point:
The Because Test Formula
[Potential Main Point]
BECAUSE
[Other sentences in the passage]
Example: Cosmic Justice Passage A
Potential Main Point:
"Human legal systems should not attempt cosmic justice"
BECAUSE:
- Cosmic justice requires omniscience
- Humans lack omniscience
- Humans cannot know all relevant factors
- Traditional justice focusing on fair processes is achievable
✓ This works! The other sentences provide reasons supporting this conclusion. This is the main point.
Step 4: Check for Breadth (Not Too Specific, Not Too Broad)
❌ Too Specific
"Cosmic justice requires knowledge of all relevant factors"
Why wrong: This is a supporting detail, not the ultimate conclusion.
✓ Just Right
"Human legal systems should not pursue cosmic justice because humans lack omniscience"
Why correct: Captures the complete argument with proper scope.
❌ Too Broad
"Human beings should never try to achieve perfect outcomes in any domain"
Why wrong: Goes beyond the passage's specific focus on legal systems.
Goldilocks Principle:
The main point must account for all major parts of the passage without extending beyond what the passage actually discusses. It should be general enough to encompass the entire argument, but specific enough to reflect what the author actually claims.
Step 5: Eliminate Common Wrong Answer Types
Five Wrong Answer Patterns:
1. Topic Summary (Most Common)
Example: "The passage discusses Thomas Sowell's concept of cosmic justice"
Why it's wrong: States the topic but not the author's argument or conclusion about the topic.
2. Supporting Detail
Example: "Cosmic justice requires omniscience"
Why it's wrong: This is a premise supporting the conclusion, not the conclusion itself.
3. Distorted Claim
Example: "Traditional justice is superior to cosmic justice in all respects"
Why it's wrong: Overstates the author's claim. The argument is about achievability in human law, not universal superiority.
4. Reverse Causation
Example: "Because legal systems should pursue achievable goals, cosmic justice is defined as requiring omniscience"
Why it's wrong: Confuses premise with conclusion. The definition supports the recommendation, not vice versa.
5. Out of Scope
Example: "Philosophers' abstract concepts should not influence practical policy-making"
Why it's wrong: Generalizes beyond the passage's specific focus on cosmic justice and legal systems.
Worked Example: Actual Main Point Question
Question Stem:
"Which one of the following most accurately expresses the main point of Passage B?"
Answer Choices:
(A) Cosmic justice, unlike traditional justice, requires omniscience that humans do not possess.
(B) Thomas Sowell contrasts two different conceptions of justice in legal philosophy.
(C) ✓ CORRECT: Legal systems should focus on ensuring fair processes rather than attempting to achieve cosmic justice, which requires knowledge humans cannot possess.
(D) Perfect justice accounting for all circumstances is an impossible standard for human legal institutions.
(E) Traditional justice is more practical than cosmic justice for human courts to implement.
Detailed Explanation:
Why (C) is Correct:
Choice (C) captures Sowell's complete argument: It includes both his recommendation (legal systems should focus on fair processes) and his reasoning (cosmic justice requires impossible knowledge). This is prescriptive—telling us what should be done—which matches the argumentative purpose of Passage B.
Apply the Because Test: "Legal systems should focus on fair processes" BECAUSE "cosmic justice requires knowledge humans cannot possess." Everything else in Passage B supports this conclusion. ✓
Why Other Choices Are Wrong:
(A) - Supporting Detail:
This is a premise supporting Sowell's conclusion, not the conclusion itself. It explains WHY cosmic justice shouldn't guide law, but doesn't state the actual recommendation.
(B) - Topic Summary:
This merely describes what Sowell does (contrasts two concepts) without stating his argument or conclusion about which approach legal systems should adopt.
(D) - Incomplete (Missing Recommendation):
While true, this only states that cosmic justice is impossible. It fails to include Sowell's prescriptive conclusion about what legal systems should do instead (focus on traditional justice).
(E) - Weakens the Argument:
"More practical" is too weak. Sowell's argument is stronger: cosmic justice is impossible for humans, not merely less practical. This choice also omits the epistemological reasoning (lack of omniscience) central to Sowell's argument.
Main Point in Paired Passages: Special Considerations
Three Types of Main Point Questions for Paired Passages
Type 1: Main Point of Passage A Only
Question: "Which one of the following most accurately expresses the main point of Passage A?"
Strategy: Ignore Passage B completely. Focus only on Passage A's argumentative purpose and conclusion. For Cosmic Justice Passage A, the main point is that human legal systems should not pursue cosmic justice because humans lack the omniscience it requires.
Type 2: Main Point of Passage B Only
Question: "Which one of the following most accurately expresses the main point of Passage B?"
Strategy: Ignore Passage A completely. Identify Passage B's specific argumentative conclusion. For Cosmic Justice Passage B, Sowell himself argues that legal systems should prioritize procedural fairness over cosmic justice because only omniscient beings could render cosmic justice.
Type 3: Main Point of Both Passages Combined
Question: "Which one of the following most accurately expresses the main point of the passages?" (plural)
Strategy: Identify the overarching argument or shared conclusion across both passages. For Cosmic Justice, both passages argue that cosmic justice should not guide human law due to epistemological limitations (humans can't be omniscient). The combined main point would encompass this shared argumentative position.
Key Difference: Passage A vs. Passage B Main Points
Advanced Strategies for Main Point Mastery
Strategy 1: The "So What?" Technique
After reading the passage, ask yourself: "So what? What's the author's point?" Your answer should be the main conclusion, not a description of the topic.
Example Application:
"I just read about cosmic justice. So what? The author argues that legal systems shouldn't pursue it because it's epistemologically impossible for humans." ← This is your main point.
Strategy 2: Pre-Phrase Before Looking at Answers
Before reading answer choices, formulate your own statement of the main point in your own words. This prevents you from being seduced by attractively-worded wrong answers.
Process:
- Read the passage
- Identify the conclusion using the Because Test
- Write down or mentally articulate the main point
- Find the answer choice that matches your prediction
Strategy 3: Identify the Argumentative "Should" or "Must"
Main points in law passages often contain normative language expressing what ought to be the case. Look for "should," "must," "ought to," "is necessary," or "it is important that."
In Cosmic Justice:
The main point contains "should not"—"Legal systems should not pursue cosmic justice." This normative claim, supported by factual premises about human limitations, is the passage's ultimate conclusion.
Strategy 4: Argument Structure Visualization
Mentally map the logical structure using this formula:
Premise 1 + Premise 2 + Premise 3...
↓
[Maybe: Intermediate Conclusion]
↓
MAIN POINT (Ultimate Conclusion)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Mistake #1
Confusing Topic with Main Point
Choosing an answer that describes what the passage is about rather than what the author argues. The topic is cosmic justice; the main point is that it shouldn't guide law.
❌ Mistake #2
Selecting a Supporting Detail
Choosing a premise that supports the conclusion rather than the conclusion itself. "Cosmic justice requires omniscience" is a premise, not the main point.
❌ Mistake #3
Being Too Specific or Too Narrow
Selecting an answer that only addresses one paragraph or section. The main point must encompass the entire passage's argument.
❌ Mistake #4
Looking for Conclusion at the End
Assuming the last sentence is always the main point. Conclusions can appear anywhere—beginning, middle, or end. Use logical structure, not position.
❌ Mistake #5
Choosing Overly Broad Statements
Selecting an answer that extends beyond the passage's actual scope. If Sowell only discusses legal systems, don't pick an answer about "all human institutions."
❌ Mistake #6
Falling for Familiar Wording
Choosing an answer because it uses exact phrases from the passage. LSAT wrong answers often quote passage language while distorting the logical structure.
Official LSAT Preparation Resources
LSAC Official PrepTests & Resources
The Law School Admission Council publishes official LSAT materials containing real past exams:
- The Official LSAT SuperPrep Series — Includes full explanations for every question, including main point questions
- The New Official LSAT TriplePrep — Three full PrepTests per volume with answer keys
- Individual PrepTests — Over 90 official LSAT exams available for purchase
- LSAT Writing Samples — Practice materials for the LSAT Writing section
LawHub: LSAC's Digital LSAT Platform
LawHub is LSAC's official digital platform for LSAT preparation:
- Free Digital Practice — Access to sample questions and drill sets
- Official LSAT Prep Plus — Subscription service with over 70 official PrepTests
- Detailed Answer Explanations — Learn why correct answers are right and wrong answers are wrong
- Performance Analytics — Track your progress and identify weak areas
- Test Simulation Mode — Practice under real LSAT conditions
2-Week Main Point Mastery Plan
Week 1: Foundation & Technique
- Days 1-2: Study main point identification theory using Khan Academy videos
- Days 3-4: Practice the Because Test on 5-10 short arguments daily
- Days 5-6: Complete 3 untimed Reading Comprehension passages, focusing only on main point questions
- Day 7: Review all mistakes and analyze why you missed questions
Week 2: Application & Speed
- Days 8-10: Practice timed RC passages (8-9 minutes each), answer all questions but focus on main point
- Days 11-12: Complete 2 full RC sections under timed conditions
- Days 13-14: Review all main point questions from your practice, identify patterns in wrong answers you chose
Success Metrics
By the end of 2 weeks, you should be able to:
- Identify the main point of any passage in under 10 seconds after finishing reading
- Score 90%+ accuracy on main point questions in untimed practice
- Score 80%+ accuracy on main point questions in timed sections
- Distinguish main points from topics, premises, and supporting details with confidence
- Apply the Because Test automatically without conscious effort
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many main point questions appear on the LSAT?
A: Typically 2-3 explicit main point questions appear per test—usually one in Reading Comprehension. However, identifying main points is essential for approximately 60% of all LSAT questions, including strengthen, weaken, assumption, flaw, and method of reasoning questions.
Q: Can the main point be implied rather than explicitly stated?
A: On the LSAT, the main point is usually explicitly stated somewhere in the passage, though it may not be in a single sentence. Occasionally you need to synthesize across sentences, but the conclusion itself is present in the text—it's just a matter of identifying which claim is supported by everything else.
Q: What if I find two sentences that both seem like the main point?
A: Apply the Because Test to each one. Ask: Which sentence is supported BY the other? The sentence that is supported is the conclusion (main point); the sentence that provides support is a premise. One supports the other—they can't both be equal main points.
Q: Do I need to understand every detail to identify the main point?
A: No. You need to understand the argument's logical structure—what claims support what other claims—but you don't need to grasp every technical detail. Focus on the argumentative skeleton: premises → conclusion. Details flesh out the argument but aren't necessary for identifying its main point.
Q: How is "main point" different from "primary purpose"?
A: Main point asks for the author's conclusion or argument. Primary purpose asks why the author wrote the passage (to argue, to explain, to critique, to compare). For Cosmic Justice, the main point is "legal systems shouldn't pursue cosmic justice"; the primary purpose is "to argue against using cosmic justice in law."
Q: Should I study main points separately from other question types?
A: Yes, initially. Master main point identification first because it's foundational to all argument-based questions. Once you can reliably identify conclusions, learning other question types becomes much easier because they all build on this fundamental skill.
Key Takeaways for LSAT Main Point Mastery
- The main point is the ultimate conclusion—the claim supported by everything else in the passage, not supporting other claims
- Topic ≠ Main Point: The topic is what the passage is about; the main point is what the author argues or concludes about that topic
- Use the Because Test: If other sentences provide reasons for a claim, that claim is likely the main point
- Main points in law passages often contain normative language (should, must, ought) expressing what should be done or believed
- The main point can appear anywhere in the passage—first sentence, last sentence, or middle paragraph
- Pre-phrase your answer before looking at choices to avoid being misled by attractively-worded wrong answers
- Common wrong answers: topic summaries, supporting details, overly specific claims, overly broad claims, and distorted positions
- For paired passages, carefully check whether the question asks about Passage A, Passage B, or both passages together
- Mastering main point identification improves performance on 60% of LSAT questions, making it the most valuable skill to develop
- Practice with official LSAT materials from LSAC and Khan Academy to ensure authentic preparation
Ready to Master Main Point Questions?
Start practicing with official LSAT resources today. Consistent practice with authentic materials is the proven path to LSAT success. The Cosmic Justice passage is available on Khan Academy with complete video explanations.