S. R. Evans: A few critics have dismissed my poems as not being poems

Question

S. R. Evans: A few critics have dismissed my poems as not being poems and have dismissed me as not being a poet. But one principle of criticism has it that only true poets can recognize poetic creativity or function as critics of poetry—and that the only true poets are those whose work conveys genuine poetic creativity. But I have read the work of these critics; none of it demonstrated poetic creativity. These critics’ judgments should be rejected, since these critics are not true poets.

The argument above is vulnerable to criticism on the grounds that it

(A) presupposes what it sets out to conclude, since the principle requires that only true poets can determine whether the critics’ work demonstrates poetic creativity

(B) uses the distinction between poets and critics as though everyone fell into one category or the other

(C) gives no justification for the implicit claim that the standing of a poet can be judged independently of his or her poetry

(D) makes an unjustifiable distinction, since it is possible that some critics are also poets

(E) inevitably leads to the conclusion that poets can never learn to improve their poetry, since no poet is in a position to criticize his or her own work

sampriya · Answer

S. R. Evans: A few critics have dismissed my poems as not being poems and have dismissed me as not being a poet. But one principle of criticism has it that only true poets can recognize poetic creativity or function as critics of poetry—and that the only true poets are those whose work conveys genuine poetic creativity. But I have read the work of these critics; none of it demonstrated poetic creativity. These critics’ judgments should be rejected, since these critics are not true poets.
 
Conclusion: These critics’ judgments should be rejected

reason : since these critics are not true poets. only true poets can recognize poetic creativity or function as critics of poetry—and that the only true poets are those whose work conveys genuine poetic creativity.

underlying assumption : critics cannot recognise poetic creativity and don't create work that conveys genuine poetic creativity

we need to weaken the underlying assumption by proving proof that critics can be considered as true poets!!

the argument assumes that critics do not posses any of the above characteristics of a true poet
 
answer choice analysis:

(A) presupposes what it sets out to conclude, since the principle requires that only true poets can determine whether the critics’ work demonstrates poetic creativity.

this is the correct option!

(B) uses the distinction between poets and critics as though everyone fell into one category or the other
the argument doesn't assume that poets and critics fall into the same category in fact the argument assumes the opposite that critics have nothing in common with true poets

(C) gives no justification for the implicit claim that the standing of a poet can be judged independently of his or her poetry
the argument is not concerned with the "standing of a poet"

(D) makes an unjustifiable distinction, since it is possible that some critics are also poets
critics could be poets the argument has no issue with this claim.
the argument is only denying the fact that critics are not "TRUE poets"

(E) inevitably leads to the conclusion that poets can never learn to improve their poetry, since no poet is in a position to criticize his or her own work.
No the argument leads to the conclusion that only true poets can criticise and doesn't mention any issues with poets improving their poetry.

BongBideshini · Answer

The Problem:  For Evans' own judgment of the critics to be valid,  Evans must already be a true poet.  However, critics argue that Evans is  not  a poet. Evans is using a principle that requires him to be a "true poet" in order to prove that his critics aren't "true poets." 
This is a classic case of  presupposing what you are trying to conclude.

S. R. Evans: A few critics have dismissed my poems as not being poems

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S. R. Evans: A few critics have dismissed my poems as not being poems

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