Top Law Schools

The correct answer is E.

I eliminated all answer choices except for C and E.

This is essentially a parallel the principle question. The stimulus basically says that scholars can enhance their understanding of something of one thing by studying the previous periods that influenced that one thing.

Answer choice C: To appreciate fully the French language, one must understand the other languages that share its linguistic ancestry.

Answer choice E: To understand completely Aristotle's philosophy, one must be well acquainted with the philosophy of his intellectual mentor, Plato.

The difference I see between the two answer choices is that choice C is not being specific in regards to identifying the earlier period, rather its just a general idea. Whereas, E gives us a definitive thing, in this case a person, like the stimulus does.

However, while that may be true that (E) has that going for it over (C) in regards to being a principle that conforms better to the stimulus, you must also realize that (E) uses language "must be well acquainted."

I think that is a deal breaker. There is a huge difference between being well acquainted with something and actually UNDERSTANDING something. In this aspect, choice C is superior.

So to me this has turned itself into nothing more than an arbitrary selection game as to which concept of the principle is more important. Is it the lack of a definitive item or is it the distinction between understanding and being well acquainted?

Where am I going wrong on this one?

The real difference is not as much in the wording as it is in the relationship between the things.
Stimulus:
study the thing that influences the thing your trying to understand.
C:
study something that is influenced by the same thing as the thing your trying to understand.
E:
study the person that influences the person your trying to understand.

The difference is this:
You're looking for answers to something by looking at its roots. Plato is Aristotle's roots, but C only mentions studying two things with similar roots.
You're looking for a direct line from the influencer and the thing you're learning. French and the "other languages" only share influencers, whereas Plato is Aristotle's influencer.
Sorry this would be a lot easier to write if I knew the "things" we were talking about, but that's the pattern you're looking for.