Philosophy student: Some objects that are considered beautiful by everyone who has observed them may not be, in fact, truly...
GMAT Two Part Analysis : (TPA) Questions
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.
Phase 1: Owning the Dataset
Argument Analysis Table
| 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." |
|
Argument Structure
- Main conclusion: Objects considered beautiful by everyone may not be truly beautiful
- Supporting logic:
- Sophisticated observers see flaws others miss
- Even sophisticated observers have limitations
- Hypothetical super-sophisticated observers might find current "beautiful" objects hideous
- Such objects would be truly ugly
- Key assumption: The aesthetic judgment of hypothetical super-sophisticated observers determines true beauty/ugliness
- Overall flow: Perceived beauty \(\rightarrow\) Limited observers \(\rightarrow\) Hypothetical better observers \(\rightarrow\) True ugliness
Phase 2: Question Analysis & Prethinking
Understanding What Each Part Asks
We need to complete: "In general, if an object 1, then that object 2" to express a principle the argument relies on.
- Part 1: Should identify a condition about an object
- Part 2: Should identify what follows from that condition
- Relationship: Together they must form a principle underlying the student's reasoning
Prethinking Based on Question Type
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).
Specific Prethinking for Each Part
- For Part 1: "would appear hideous to hypothetical observers of greater sophistication"
- For Part 2: "is not truly beautiful" or "is ugly"
Phase 3: Answer Choice Evaluation
Evaluating Each Choice
Choice A: "is considered beautiful by everyone"
- Could work for Part 1 (the argument starts with this premise)
- Doesn't work for Part 2 (the conclusion is that such objects may NOT be beautiful)
Choice B: "is thought by most observers to have some aesthetic flaws"
- Doesn't capture the key principle about hypothetical observers
- Not central to the main logical leap
Choice C: "would appear hideous to hypothetical observers of even greater sophistication than the most sophisticated actual observers"
- Perfect for Part 1 - this is exactly the condition the argument uses
- Doesn't work for Part 2 (this is the condition, not the consequence)
Choice D: "is not truly beautiful"
- Doesn't work well for Part 1 (this is a conclusion, not a condition)
- Perfect for Part 2 - this is what follows from the condition
Choice E: "is not widely appreciated by unsophisticated observers"
- Not relevant to the core principle
- The argument doesn't focus on unsophisticated observers
The Correct Answers
- For Part 1: Choice C - "would appear hideous to hypothetical observers of even greater sophistication than the most sophisticated actual observers"
- For Part 2: Choice D - "is not truly beautiful"
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."
Common Traps to Highlight
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.