To classify a work of art as truly great, it is necessary that the work have both originality and far-reaching influe...

shunhe July 22, 2020

Hi @Valentina,

Thanks for the question! So remember, the principle is that if a work of art is truly great, then it has both originality and far-reaching influence upon the artistic community, or

Work of art truly great —> Originality & Far-reaching influence on artistic community

Now let’s take a look at (E). It tells us that since Bach’s music is truly great, it has both originality and a major influence on musicians, and also has broad popular appeal. Well, obviously originality is checked off, and the “major influence on musicians” covers the “far-reaching influence on artistic community.” But we’re also told that because it’s truly great music, Bach’s music also has to have broad popular appeal. Which means it appeals to a lot of people, not just musicians. Nothing in the stimulus tells us that this has to follow. So because (E) adds this additional third thing in addition to originality and influencing the artistic community, it’s not supported by the stimulus to the extent that (B) is. So a major influence on musicians == far-reaching influence on the artistic community, but broad popular appeal =/= far-reaching influence on the artistic community.

If we replaced both of those with “far-reaching influence upon the artistic community,” then (E) would also be a correct answer. But we can’t have two correct answers on the LSAT, so that’s why (E) is phrased the way it is.

Hope this helps! Feel free to ask any other questions that you might have.