Skywalker18 wrote:
Newtonian physics dominated science for over two centuries. It found consistently successful application, becoming one of the most highly substantiated and accepted theories in the history of science. Nevertheless, Einstein’s theories came to show the fundamental limits of Newtonian physics and to surpass the Newtonian view in the early 1900s, giving rise once again to a physics that has so far enjoyed wide success.
Which one of the following logically follows from the statements above?
A. The history of physics is characterized by a pattern of one successful theory subsequently surpassed by another.
B. Long-standing success or substantiation of a theory of physics is no guarantee that the theory will continue to be dominant indefinitely.
C. Every theory of physics, no matter how successful, is eventually surpassed by one that is more successful.
D. Once a theory of physics is accepted, it will remain dominant for centuries.
E. If a long-accepted theory of physics is surpassed, it must be surpassed by a theory that is equally successful.
LSAT question
OFFICIAL EXPLANATION
The correct answer choice is (B). The stimulus tells the story of recent physics theories: Newtonian physics was preeminent for over two centuries, and despite widespread acknowledgment and confirmation it was surpassed by Einsteinian physics in the early 1900s.
Answer choice (A): The two theories cited in the stimulus are not sufficient to form a pattern, which is the basis of answer choice (A).
Answer choice (B): This is the correct answer. As shown by the case of Newtonian physics, success and substantiation is no guarantee of dominance.
Answer choice (C): This is an exaggerated answer that takes one instance and exaggerates it into a pattern. Although Newtonian physics was surpassed, this does not prove that every theory of physics will be eventually surpassed. The answer goes farther than the facts of the stimulus and fails the Fact Test.
Answer choice (D): Like answer choice (C), this answer goes too far. Although some theories of physics have been dominant for centuries, there is no guarantee that every theory will be dominant for that long.
Answer choice (E): Even though Einsteinian physics has enjoyed wide success in surpassing Newtonian physics, nowhere in the stimulus is there evidence to prove that each theory must be surpassed by an equally successful theory.