LSAT Explanation PT 36, S3, Q17: The purpose of a general theory

LSAT Question Stem

The statements above, if true, most strongly support which one of the following? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Must Be False question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is D. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

This LSAT problem presents a passage discussing the purpose of a general theory of art and the limitations of premodern general theories. The question type for this problem is "Most Strongly Supported," which requires us to identify the answer choice that is best supported by the information provided in the passage.

Before diving into the answer choices, let's briefly recap the passage:

1. The purpose of a general theory of art is to explain every aesthetic feature found in any of the arts.

2. Premodern general theories of art focused primarily on painting and sculpture.

3. Every premodern general theory of art fails to explain some aesthetic feature of music.

Now, let's evaluate each answer choice:

a) Any general theory of art that explains the aesthetic features of painting also explains those of sculpture.

- This answer choice is not supported by the passage. The passage tells us that premodern general theories focused primarily on painting and sculpture, but it does not state that explaining the aesthetic features of one guarantees explaining those of the other.

b) A general theory of art that explains every aesthetic feature of music will achieve its purpose.

- This answer choice is unsupported. While explaining every aesthetic feature of music is important, the passage states that the purpose of a general theory of art is to explain every aesthetic feature found in any of the arts, not just music.

c) Any theory of art that focuses primarily on sculpture and painting cannot explain every aesthetic feature of music.

- This answer choice is unsupported. While the passage states that premodern general theories fail to explain some aesthetic features of music, it does not claim that any theory focusing on sculpture and painting cannot explain every aesthetic feature of music.

d) No premodern general theory of art achieves its purpose unless music is not art.

- This answer choice is supported by the passage. Since premodern general theories of art fail to explain some aesthetic features of music, they cannot achieve their purpose of explaining every aesthetic feature found in any of the arts, unless music is not considered an art.

e) No premodern general theory of art explains any aesthetic features of music that are not shared with painting and sculpture.

- This answer choice is unsupported. The passage states that premodern general theories fail to explain some aesthetic features of music, but it does not specify which features or whether they are shared with painting and sculpture.

In conclusion, the best-supported answer choice is (d), as it aligns with the information provided in the passage.