Logical Reasoning

PT5 · S3 · Q7 The stated goal of the government’s

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The stated goal of the government’s funding program for the arts is to encourage the creation of works of artistic excellence.

Conclusion

Government funding of the arts cannot lead to the creation of works of true artistic excellence and is a burden on taxpayers.

Evidence

Senator Beton argues that government-funded artworks can never reflect the independent artistic conscience of the artist. This is because artists will inevitably try to please those who control the distribution of financial support, just like anyone else who accepts support.

Evaluate

Senator Beton's argument hinges on the idea that true artistic excellence requires independence of artistic conscience, which government funding supposedly undermines. Therefore, the essence of the argument is about whether the need to cater to those who distribute funds necessarily eliminates the possibility of creating truly excellent art.

To understand the assumption, we need to consider why an artwork that lacks the independent conscience of its artist can't be a true work of artistic excellence.

Goal

Look for an assumption that links the dependence on financial supporters to the inability to achieve artistic excellence because it stifles artistic independence. We are looking for an answer that addresses this core link.

7.

Which one of the following is an assumption on which Senator Beton’s argument is based?

  1. Most taxpayers have little or

    Too Speculative: Interest Level

    Most taxpayers have little or no interest in the creation of works of true artistic excellence. This answer misses the heart of the argument. Taxpayer interest is irrelevant to whether government-funded art can be excellent. It's a red herring and does not address the logic connecting financial dependence and artistic quality.

    3% picked this

  2. Government funding of the arts

    Irrelevant Comparison: Generous Funding

    Government funding of the arts is more generous than other financial support most artists receive. The generosity of funding does not factor into whether the art produced can be considered truly excellent. The argument concerns the dependence created by any external funding, not just government funding in particular.

    2% picked this

  3. Distribution of government funds for

    Too Broad: Agreement on Excellence

    Distribution of government funds for the arts is based on a broad agreement as to what constitutes artistic excellence. This does not address the crux of the argument. The issue isn't how government decides what deserves funding, but rather the impact of accepting funding on artistic independence.

    8% picked this

  4. Once an artist has produced

    Backward Assumption

    Once an artist has produced works of true artistic excellence, he or she will never accept government funding. The directionality here is misleading. The argument isn't about what happens after excellence is achieved, but whether dependence on funding prevents excellence in the first place.

    2% picked this

  5. Correct

    A contemporary work of art

    Why this is right

    A contemporary work of art that does not reflect the independent artistic conscience of the artist cannot be a work of true artistic excellence. This choice directly connects Senator Beton's concern about the lack of artistic independence with the inability to achieve true artistic excellence, supporting his conclusion.

    Skill tested: Necessary Assumption · how this choice captures the argument's function is the move to repeat next time.

    85% picked this

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