Critical Reasoning

Modern science is built on the process of posing hypotheses and testing them against observations—in essence, attempting to show that the hypotheses are incorrect. Nothing brings more recognition than overthrowing conventional wisdom. It is accordingly unsurprising that some scientists are skeptical of the widely accepted predictions of global warming. What is instead remarkable is that with hundreds of researchers striving to make breakthroughs in climatology, very few find evidence that global warming is unlikely.

The information above provides the most support for which one of the following statements?

(A) Most scientists who are reluctant to accept the global warming hypothesis are not acting in accordance with the accepted standards of scientific debate.
(B) Most researchers in climatology have substantial motive to find evidence that would discredit the global warming hypothesis.
(C) There is evidence that conclusively shows that the global warming hypothesis is true.
(D) Scientists who are skeptical about global warming have not offered any alternative hypotheses to explain climatological data.
(E) Research in global warming is primarily driven by a desire for recognition in the scientific community

would go for D

A. accepted standards is not discussed

B. too extreme. "substantial motive" and "most scientists" strays too far

C. too extreme. we do not know if there are conclusive evidences of global warming

D. if evidences to counter global warming has not been found, scientists cannot have offered alternative hypotheses.

E. no information to support this. makes it too specific to global warming research. it was used in a very general sense in the passage

any other bets please?? (with explanation)

on a second read, B seems a better bet.

if scientists are skeptical of conventional accepted theory of global warming, they must be motivated to discredit the theory

IMO B

arrived by POE

1:- not discussed

3:- extreme

4:- extreme i dont like "have not offered any alternative"

5:- not disccussed, out of scope

wht is the OA

rather go for A, but can't quite reason why.

Passage clearly states that "Nothing brings more recognition than overthrowing conventional wisdom."
It also says that it is unsurprising that some scientists are skeptical about the global warming and that a very few do get the evidence that global warming is unlikely.

The information is supposed to support the choice.

How is E out of scope? I think E shuld do it. Please correct me if i am wrong.

After six minutes of thinking, I picked (D).

PAB2706 wrote:IMO B

arrived by POE

1:- not discussed

3:- extreme

4:- extreme i dont like "have not offered any alternative"

5:- not disccussed, out of scope

wht is the OA

PAB,
Isn't B too extreme as well? It talks about "most researchers" and "their motives". I was torn between [spoiler][/spoiler] and [spoiler][D][/spoiler], but I chose to pick [spoiler][D][/spoiler]

Hey kanha,

I was thinking Hundreds of researchers corresponds to most researchers

These researchers have a substantial motive of discrediting bcos tht will give them recognition as stated in the second setence of the argument..

I might be wrong but just made a choice btwn B nd D bcos of above reasons.

Interesting discussion. OA is B

This one was tough by the way

This was indeed tough one.

Now that I've seen the answer, I guess the strategy should have been the following:

Arguments states that
'Nothing brings more recognition than overthrowing conventional wisdom. It is accordingly unsurprising that some scientists are skeptical of the widely accepted predictions of global warming.'

there are two assumptions in this paragraph:

1. the recognition is important motive

if this were not true than the phrase 'it is unsurprising' would be illogical.

2. the global warming is regarded by scientists as 'conventional wisdom'


So the the logic goes some thing like this

a. overthrowing conventional wisdom => leads to recognition
b. recognition is important for scientists
c. global warming =conventional wisdom

THEREFORE It is Unsurprising that some scientist want to overthrow prediction of global warming


So we should be searching any of two assumptions in the answers... B refers to 1st assumption and therefore is the best choice.


but this really doesn't sound like OG. Hope this type won't be on test

IF somebody has got better explanation please post.




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Still cant understand why (E) is wrong . Please explain

Here is my take:

A - OUT - no mention of standards and scientific data in the argument
B -
C - OUT - "conclusively shows" - where?? I dont see it
D -
E - OUT - Desire for recognition is just not focused to Global Warming, it is for everything.

I am left with B and D. This is the tough part for me.
examine: very few find evidence that global warming is unlikely.
same as: very few find evidence that global warming is not likely.
same as: most find eviendence that global warming is not likely.

Now, I chose B because it is close to the above statement mentioned in the passage.