In the 1970s, the British mathematician George Box quipped that all

Question

In the 1970s, the British mathematician George Box quipped that ‘all models are wrong, but some are useful’. But today, many of the models we use to describe our social world are neither right nor useful. There is a better way. And it doesn’t entail a futile search for regular patterns in the maddening complexity of life. Instead, it involves learning to navigate the chaos of our social worlds.

Which of the following can be reasonably inferred from the passage?

A) The author believes that models, while imperfect, still offer value in understanding social phenomena.
B) The author suggests that many models used to describe social reality are ineffective in addressing its complexities.
C) The author advocates for abandoning all models in favor of entirely new approaches to understanding social life.
D) The author asserts that the search for patterns in social behavior is futile and should be stopped immediately.
E) The author believes that there is no viable solution for understanding social behavior.

Sparsh007 · Answer

Can someone please help me better understand this question

Su1206 · Answer

In the 1970s, the British mathematician George Box quipped that ‘all models are wrong, but some are useful’.  But today, many of the models we use to describe our social world are neither right nor useful.  There is a better way. And it doesn’t entail a futile search for regular patterns in the maddening complexity of life. Instead, it involves learning to navigate the chaos of our social worlds.

Which of the following can be reasonably inferred from the passage?

A) The author believes that models, while imperfect, still offer value in understanding social phenomena -  Incorrect. Author does say the models are not right not useful.  
 B) The author suggests that many models used to describe social reality are ineffective in addressing its complexities.-  CORRECT. This can be inferred from underlined portion.  
 C) The author advocates for abandoning all models in favor of entirely new approaches to understanding social life -  The author does not suggest to follow new approach but to better understand chaos of social world.  . 
 D) The author asserts that the search for patterns in social behavior is futile and should be stopped immediately.-  There is no evidence that suggests author wants us to stop search for new patterns.  
 E) The author believes that there is no viable solution for understanding social behavior -  No evidence that there is no viable solution. In fact, author himself suggests a solution (in last line of the passage)

I hope this helps!

prankur_y · Answer

Why is C wrong. Author said there is a better way which doesn't involve futile search for regular patterns but involves learning to navigate chaos of our social worlds.

however, what that better way is, is not mentioned.

it makes C as a correct option as well.

Su1206 · Answer

On GMAT, try to be as literal as you can.

Option C) The author advocates for abandoning all models in favor of entirely new approaches to understanding social life.

As per the option, the author suggests that 'There can be a better way'. He never says what the better way is.

Also, simply suggesting there is a better way does not mean old ways are obsolete/useless and should be abandoned. There is no content in the passage which leads us to infer that author has asked us to 'Abandon old ways'.

That is too strong to be inferred and totally unsupported. Mat be you are correct in real life, but on GMAT, your inference shall be supported by words/content in passage. In this case its not!

In the 1970s, the British mathematician George Box quipped that all

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