LSAT Explanation PT 31, S2, Q18: Not all works of art represent

LSAT Question Stem

The reasoning above is questionable because it fails to exclude the possibility that 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Flaw question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is C. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

Let's first break down the passage and analyze the argument. The passage tells us that some works of art represent something, which is relevant to our aesthetic experience, and representation is an aesthetically relevant property. The presence of this property depends on context. However, there are no clear criteria for determining whether context-dependent properties are present in an object, so there cannot be any clear criteria for determining whether an object qualifies as art. The conclusion of the argument is that there cannot be any clear criteria for determining whether an object qualifies as art.

An "Evaluate" question for this argument could be: "Are there any other aesthetically relevant properties besides representation that can determine whether an object is a work of art?"

The question type for this problem is Flaw, which asks us to identify the reasoning that the argument fails to exclude. The correct answer is C.

Now, let's discuss each answer choice:

a) This answer choice suggests that because some works of art are nonrepresentational, there is no way of judging our aesthetic experience of them. However, this is not relevant to the argument's conclusion about determining whether an object qualifies as art, so this answer choice is incorrect.

b) This answer choice states that an object may have some aesthetic properties and not be a work of art. While this is true, it does not address the argument's conclusion about the lack of clear criteria for determining whether an object qualifies as art. Thus, this answer choice is incorrect.

c) This is the correct answer choice. The argument fails to exclude the possibility that aesthetically relevant properties other than representation can determine whether an object is a work of art. If there are other properties that can determine whether an object is a work of art, then the argument's conclusion that there cannot be any clear criteria for determining whether an object qualifies as art is weakened.

d) This answer choice states that some works of art may have properties that are not relevant to our aesthetic experience of them. While this may be true, it does not address the argument's conclusion about determining whether an object qualifies as art. Thus, this answer choice is incorrect.

e) This answer choice suggests that some objects that represent things other than themselves are not works of art. However, this is not relevant to the argument's conclusion about determining whether an object qualifies as art, so this answer choice is incorrect.

In summary, the correct answer is C because the argument fails to exclude the possibility that there may be other aesthetically relevant properties besides representation that can determine whether an object is a work of art.