LSAT Explanation PT 45, S1, Q6: Maria: Popular music is bad art
LSAT Question Stem
The dialogue provides the most support for the claim that Maria and Theo disagree over whether
Logical Reasoning Question Type
This is a Disagree question.
Correct Answer
The correct answer to this question is D.
LSAT Question Complete Explanation
In this dialogue, we have two speakers, Maria and Theo, discussing the artistic value of popular music. Let's break down their arguments:
Maria's Argument:
- Premise: Popular music greatly exaggerates the role love plays in everyday life.
- Premise/Conclusion: Popular music fails to represent reality accurately.
- Main Conclusion: Popular music is bad art.
Theo's Argument:
- Premise: Popular music is not supposed to reflect reality.
- Premise: Popular music performs other artistic functions, such as providing consoling fantasies and helping people create romance in their lives.
- Conclusion: Maria should understand popular music before condemning it as bad art.
The question type for this problem is "Disagree," and we're asked to identify the point of disagreement between Maria and Theo.
Now, let's evaluate each answer choice:
a) Most good art creates consoling illusions
Maria does not specifically address "good art," and we cannot be sure of Theo's position on whether most good art offers consoling illusions. This answer choice can be eliminated.
b) Some bad art exaggerates the role love plays in everyday life
While Maria might agree with this statement, we cannot be certain that Theo would disagree with it, as he does not address what constitutes bad art. This answer choice can be eliminated.
c) Art should always represent reality as it could be, not as it is
Maria would likely disagree with this statement, but we cannot be sure that Theo would agree with the word "always" in this response. This answer choice is too extreme and can be eliminated.
d) Art need not represent reality accurately to be good art
This is the correct answer choice. Maria and Theo disagree on whether accurately representing reality is necessary for art to be considered good.
e) Popular music should not be considered to be an art form
Both Maria and Theo would disagree with this statement, as Maria argues that popular music is bad art, and Theo believes that popular music has artistic functions. Since both speakers disagree, this answer choice is incorrect.
In conclusion, Maria and Theo disagree on whether art needs to represent reality accurately to be considered good art (answer choice d).