The purpose of a general theory of art is to explain every aesthetic feature that is found in any of the arts. Premodern general theories of art, however, focused primarily on painting and sculpture. Every premodern general theory of art, even those that succeed as theories of painting and sculpture, fails to explain some aesthetic feature of music.
Summary
The purpose of a general theory of art is to explain every aesthetic feature found in any form of art. Every premodern general theory of art fails to explain some aesthetic feature of music. Premodern general theories of art focus primarily on painting and sculpture.
Strongly Supported Conclusions
If music is art, then no premodern general theory of art achieves its purpose.
A
Any general theory of art that explains the aesthetic features of painting also explains those of sculpture.
This answer is unsupported. We know from the stimulus that premodern general theories of art primarily focus on painting and sculpture, but we don’t know if the same is true for any general theory of art.
B
A general theory of art that explains every aesthetic feature of music will achieve its purpose.
This answer is unsupported. The necessary condition for a general theory of art to achieve its purpose is for the theory to explain every aesthetic feature found in any art form. Only explaining every aesthetic feature of music is too narrow.
C
Any theory of art that focuses primarily on sculpture and painting cannot explain every aesthetic feature of music.
This answer is unsupported. The stimulus is limited to general theories of art and premodern general theories of art. “Any theory of art” is too strong.
D
No premodern general theory of art achieves its purpose unless music is not art.
This answer is strongly supported. If we were to (safely) assume that music is an art form, then premodern general theories of art fail to achieve their purpose outlined in the first sentence.
E
No premodern general theory of art explains any aesthetic features of music that are not shared with painting and sculpture.
This answer is unsupported. We don’t know from the stimulus if there are any aesthetic features that music, painting, and sculpture do not share.
Model student summary:
This question was really subtle and tricky and lends itself best to a lawgic representation.
F –> LT
F –> /LP
_________
Not(LP –> LT)
So this is a flaw, that we need to mirror and there is one really tricky answer choice that comes close.
Answer choice (A) is not correct.
B–> /PB
B –> E
_________
Not(PB some E)
Answer choice (B) is the correct answer.
PWF –> 75+
PWF –> /N
___________
Not(N –> 75+)
Answer choice (C) is incorrect.
OB –> CBTC
OBh
___________
CBTCh
Answer choice (D) is the trick answer choice.
E –> EP
E –> /EM
_________
Not(EP –> /EM)
Answer choice (E) is also incorrect.
PDOC –> CF
CFnn
___________
PDOCnn