Critical Reasoning

Hi Friends,
I am having difficulty in answering the following question. Need help.

Some philosophers of science claim that no serious scientific theory can be tested experimentally without taking for granted some other body of scientific beliefs, the operation of the instruments-for we cannot interpret the experimental results without appealing to such beliefs. If this is true, then which of the following conclusions seems most likely?

A) Any particular scientific theory can be consistently retained, even in the face of apparently incompatible evidence, if we are willing to give up certain other scientific beliefs.

B) Experimental evidence is really irrelevant to scientific theorizing.

C) Experimental evidence is more relevant to the testing of scientific theories than to their initial formulation.

D) Experimental evidence is more relevant to the initial formulation of scientific theories than to their testing.

E) The best scientific theories are those which are formulated in such a way as to be subject to conclusive experimental refutation.

OA after some discussions.

I am btw C and D. But D is mostly possible for me!

A) Any particular scientific theory can be consistently retained, even in the face of apparently incompatible evidence, if we are willing to give up certain other scientific beliefs. -->strong wording. NO

B) Experimental evidence is really irrelevant to scientific theorizing. --> strong wording. NO

C) Experimental evidence is more relevant to the testing of scientific theories than to their initial formulation.

D) Experimental evidence is more relevant to the initial formulation of scientific theories than to their testing. CORRECT

E) The best scientific theories are those which are formulated in such a way as to be subject to conclusive experimental refutation. -->strong wording. hence, NO

Don't reject out of hand (automatically, without reflection) choices with strong wording, Don't take moderation to an extreme!

Without the ability to measure, we cannot test (and possibly reject) theories. Without accepting assumptions about the operation of instruments, we cannot measure.

IMO A

+1 for D

HSPA wrote:+1 for D

Okay .. I understood it now.. it is choice A.. fell for D..

Choice A
It reinterprets the statement to say that experimental evidence is not a must to prove a scientific theory as long as we are willing to give up some other scientific beliefs. That is like making some assumptions to make the results of the theory valid

Do we have that type of questions in GMAT ?

Can some expert please discuss this one?

Thanks
Mankey

IMO:A 2:00

Requesting some expert to please come forward.

Thanks.

I go with D.

If we observe the first option it says that we have to give up some scientific beliefs, but in the stimulus it says that we have to consider some beliefs. So A doesnt go with it.

OA pls.

Can someone please explain what is exactly happening in the question. And how are the different options relating with the conclusion?

I am still a little confused on this one. To me it looks like C.

Please help.

Thanks
Mankey

Dean Jones wrote:Hi Friends,
I am having difficulty in answering the following question. Need help.

Some philosophers of science claim that no serious scientific theory can be tested experimentally without taking for granted some other body of scientific beliefs, the operation of the instruments-for we cannot interpret the experimental results without appealing to such beliefs. If this is true, then which of the following conclusions seems most likely?

A) Any particular scientific theory can be consistently retained, even in the face of apparently incompatible evidence, if we are willing to give up certain other scientific beliefs.

B) Experimental evidence is really irrelevant to scientific theorizing.

C) Experimental evidence is more relevant to the testing of scientific theories than to their initial formulation.

D) Experimental evidence is more relevant to the initial formulation of scientific theories than to their testing.

E) The best scientific theories are those which are formulated in such a way as to be subject to conclusive experimental refutation.

OA after some discussions.

IMO A, OA please