Prediction, the hallmark of natural sciences, appears to

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION

The correct answer choice is (D).

Like the previous problem, the conclusion is in the middle of the argument and is not prefaced by a conclusion indicator. Get used to seeing this format on Main Point questions! The author states that prediction has been made possible by reducing phenomena to mathematical expressions and that some social scientists want to have this same power. The author argues that it would be a mistake to allow social scientists to have this ability. The conclusion, therefore, is “But this would be a mistake.”

Answer choice (A): The author says, “some social scientists also want the power to predict accurately,” so the author would likely agree with this statement. Regardless, this is not the main point of the argument. Again, be careful with answers that are true according to the author—do they also address the main point?

Answer choice (B): The author might very well agree with this statement, although there is not enough information to assert that this statement is true based on the stimulus (the words “more important” are a bit strong). Regardless, this answer choice does not address the main point of the argument and is therefore wrong.

Answer choice (C): While the social scientists may believe this is true, the author’s point is a different one—that social scientists ought not to perform a mathematical reduction. And, because the author believes that prediction is apparently made possible by reducing phenomena to mathematical expressions, the author would likely disagree with this statement.

Answer choice (D): This is the correct answer. The conclusion states that it would be a mistake for social scientists to have the ability to reduce phenomena to mathematical expressions. Answer choice (D) is a paraphrase of that idea.

Answer choice (E): This point is not addressed in the stimulus.