Group 14 Question 68: One cannot determine whether a work...

Official Explanation:

One cannot determine whether a work of art -- a painting, for example – is intrinsically “great,” or even “not bad.” The best we can say is that a particular painting pleases the tastes of some people, perhaps for many years, even centuries. These works might be described by nearly everybody who sees them as “masterpieces,” but this still does not mean that _________.

(A) works of art that have been around for many years are better than newer ones
(B) subjective standards of beauty are temporary
(C) these works are objectively better than other works
(D) the term “masterpiece” should not be used for newer works
(E) anyone is truly qualified to judge the skill involved in creating a piece of art

Question Type: Complete the Passage
Boil It Down: Art is not objective at best we can say that it pleases a subjective taste, in some cases for a long time art which subjectively pleases for a while, however, may be called a “masterpiece” but that does not mean this art _____
Goal: Find the option that best highlights the missing information in the argument.

Analysis:

Here, we have a basic argument structure. The author does not think art is objective. At best, some art is good enough to please a subjective taste for a long time, but that still does not make it objectively good. Even if 80% of people consider these works a masterpiece, that does not make it any less subjective they feel. I think most people have heard an argument like this before. Let me give a more contemporary example following the same argument structure: “No one can determine whether music is intrinsically good or bad. At best, we can say that a particular song or album is enjoyed by many people. Even though an album might be described as a masterpiece by many people – like the Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd – this does not mean that: ______” How do we finish the statement? In both cases it should end with an answer which goes along with the theme of the prompt: art is not objective, even if a lot of people subjectively like one specific thing. With that in mind, let’s look at the answer choices.

(A) works of art that have been around for many years are better than newer ones
This answer really goes against the main point. The author is a big proponent that no art is better than another. objectively. Never once do they claim that older art is better or worse than newer art, only that each person’s individual tastes determine what art is good. This answer is not correct.

(B) subjective standards of beauty are temporary
This is closer, because it talks about subjective vs. objective. But is this the point the author is trying to make? Does the author talk about time frames of when certain art is subjectively beautiful or not? No, just that – in general – art is always subjective and not objective. This answer is not correct.

(C) these works are objectively better than other works
This is the correct answer choice. Plug it in to our “boil it down”: Art is objective at best, some art pleases a subjective taste for a long time Even if that art may be called a masterpiece, it does not mean that this art is objectively better than others. This fits with our theme exactly. Art is not objective; it is subjective at best.

(D) the term “masterpiece” should not be used for newer works
The author has no problem with the word masterpiece. To some people, based on their subjective taste, art is a masterpiece. The author is arguing, however, that even art which is a masterpiece to one person is not a masterpiece to everyone, because art is subjective. This answer misses the point.

(E) anyone is truly qualified to judge the skill involved in creating a piece of art
Does the author ever care whether someone is qualified to judge art? The point is about the subjective vs. objective standard for art. The author never contemplates who is properly qualified to judge art. This answer is out of scope.

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