Loading...
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 1_, then that object 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.
1
2
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." |
|
| "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." |
|
We need to complete: "In general, if an object 1, then that object 2" to express a principle the argument relies on.
This asks for a logical principle - we need to identify the if-then relationship the argument assumes.
The core principle seems to be: If hypothetical super-sophisticated observers would find something hideous, then it's not truly beautiful (it's ugly).
Choice A: "is considered beautiful by everyone"
Choice B: "is thought by most observers to have some aesthetic flaws"
Choice C: "would appear hideous to hypothetical observers of even greater sophistication than the most sophisticated actual observers"
Choice D: "is not truly beautiful"
Choice 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."
Choice A for Part 1: While tempting because the argument mentions objects "considered beautiful by everyone," this doesn't capture the key principle. The argument isn't saying that universal approval leads to not being beautiful - it's saying that hypothetical sophisticated disapproval determines true ugliness.
Choice B: This might seem relevant because the argument mentions flaws, but the principle isn't about what most observers think - it's about what hypothetical super-sophisticated observers would think.
Choice E: Students might be drawn to this thinking about the hierarchy of observers, but the argument doesn't establish any principle about unsophisticated observers and appreciation.