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Philosophy student: Some objects that are considered beautiful by everyone who has observed them may not be, in fact, truly beautiful. To see that this is so, consider this: No one doubts that some objects that are appreciated by many people have aesthetic flaws that are discernible only to sophisticated observers. But even these sophisticated observers are limited by their finite intellects and experiences. Thus, an object that appears beautiful to the most sophisticated actual observers may nonetheless have subtle but severe aesthetic shortcomings that would make it appear hideous to hypothetical observers of even greater sophistication. Such an object would be ugly, regardless of any actual person's opinion.
In general, if an object \(\mathrm{1} \_\), then that object \(\mathrm{2} \_\). Select for 1 and for 2 the two different options that complete the sentence in such a way that it expresses a principle on which the philosophy student's argument relies. Make only two selections, one in each column.
is considered beautiful by everyone
is thought by most observers to have some aesthetic flaws
would appear hideous to hypothetical observers of even greater sophistication than the most sophisticated actual observers
is not truly beautiful
is not widely appreciated by unsophisticated observers
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
| "Some objects that are considered beautiful by everyone who has observed them may not be, in fact, truly beautiful." |
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| "No one doubts that some objects that are appreciated by many people have aesthetic flaws that are discernible only to sophisticated observers." |
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| "But even these sophisticated observers are limited by their finite intellects and experiences." |
|
| "Thus, an object that appears beautiful to the most sophisticated actual observers may nonetheless have subtle but severe aesthetic shortcomings that would make it appear hideous to hypothetical observers of even greater sophistication." |
|
| "Such an object would be ugly, regardless of any actual person's opinion." |
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We need to complete: "In general, if an object [1], then that object [2]."
This asks us to identify a conditional principle (if-then statement) that the philosophy student's argument relies on.
This is asking for an underlying principle - we need to find the logical rule that makes the argument work.
Looking at the argument's core move: it concludes that objects are "ugly" based on how hypothetical super-sophisticated observers would view them.
The principle seems to be: If hypothetical super-sophisticated observers would find something hideous, then it's not truly beautiful.
Let's examine each option for both parts:
Option A: "is considered beautiful by everyone"
Option B: "is thought by most observers to have some aesthetic flaws"
Option C: "would appear hideous to hypothetical observers of even greater sophistication than the most sophisticated actual observers"
Option D: "is not truly beautiful"
Option E: "is not widely appreciated by unsophisticated observers"
This creates the principle: "If an object would appear hideous to hypothetical observers of even greater sophistication than the most sophisticated actual observers, then that object is not truly beautiful."
This is exactly the principle the philosophy student uses to reach the conclusion!