HOT Competition: The Fermi paradox is the apparent contradiction betwe

Question

The Fermi paradox is the apparent contradiction between high estimates of the probability of the existence of extra-terrestrial civilizations and the lack of evidence for or contact with such civilizations. Stated formally, Fermi's paradox states: the size and age of the universe suggest that many technologically advanced extra-terrestrial civilizations ought to exist. However, this belief seems logically inconsistent with the lack of observational evidence to support it.

Which of the following statements if true would most help to explain/resolve the Fermi paradox:

D. It may be that advanced civilizations exist in our galaxy but they are simply too far apart for two-way communication to be effective.

Which of the following statements if true would most help to explain/resolve the Fermi paradox:

A. Some scientists believe that the conditions needed for complex life to evolve are unique to earth and hence the likelihood of extra-terrestrial life is marginal.

B. Life forms do arise and evolve elsewhere but events such as ice ages, asteroid impacts as experienced on earth destroy life before complex life forms can evolve.

C. Technological civilizations may destroy themselves before or shortly after radio or space flight technology through nuclear or biological warfare or accidental contamination.

D. It may be that advanced civilizations exist in our galaxy but they are simply too far apart for two-way communication to be effective.

E. According to Judeo-Christian belief God has placed human beings as the only intelligent life in the universe.

Bunuel · Accepted Answer

CRACK Verbal Explanation

A. Some scientists believe that the conditions needed for complex life to evolve are unique to earth and hence the likelihood of extra-terrestrial life is marginal.  (refuting the presence of extra-terrestrial life)

B. Life forms do arise and evolve elsewhere but events such as ice ages, asteroid impacts as experienced on earth destroy life before complex life forms can evolve.  (refuting the presence of extra-terrestrial life)

C. Technological civilizations may destroy themselves before or shortly after radio or space flight technology through nuclear or biological warfare or accidental contamination.  (refuting the presence of extra-terrestrial life)

D. It may be that advanced civilizations exist in our galaxy but they are simply too far apart for two-way communication to be effective.  (They exist but cannot communicate explains the Paradox)

E. According to Judeo-Christian belief God has placed human beings as the only intelligent life in the universe.  (Out of scope)

Jks3000 · Answer

Always remember that in resolve the paradox question do not try to negate 1 statement and choose other. You have to take both the statement of paradox as true and find the option which helps resolves tge paradox without negating any one of the statement.

Option A - This option does exactly what's NOT to be done. It negates 1 point of view. Wrong choice.

Option B - This options talks about only earth but argument is about extra-terrestrial civilization. WRONG

Option C - This option does exactly what's NOT to be done. It negates 1 point of view. Wrong choice.

Option D - CORRECT. It resolves the paradox and does not negate any point if view.

Option E - Out of scope. Not related to argument.

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kush09 · Answer

Argument: 
extra-terrestrial civilizations exist --> but no proof.

We need to resolve above paradox.

A. Some scientists believe that the conditions needed for complex life to evolve are unique to earth and hence the likelihood of extra-terrestrial life is marginal.
 -- Weakens the argument; Eliminate

B. Life forms do arise and evolve elsewhere but events such as ice ages, asteroid impacts as experienced on earth destroy life before complex life forms can evolve.
 -- Again this option means life form don't exist, weakens the argument; Eliminate

C. Technological civilizations may destroy themselves before or shortly after radio or space flight technology through nuclear or biological warfare or accidental contamination.
 -- Again this option means life form don't exist, weakens the argument; Eliminate

D. It may be that advanced civilizations exist in our galaxy but they are simply too far apart for two-way communication to be effective.
 -- Correct, this helps in answering question, why we don't have any proof.

E. According to Judeo-Christian belief God has placed human beings as the only intelligent life in the universe. 
 -- out of scope.

IMO answer is D

RajatJ79 · Answer

Which of the following statements if true would most help to explain/resolve the Fermi paradox:

Pre-thinking: the answer should agree with both the positions of the Fermi paradox.

A. Some scientists believe that the conditions needed for complex life to evolve are unique to earth and hence the likelihood of extra-terrestrial life is marginal.

Option A does not resolve the paradox but disagrees with Fermi paradox.
Drop Option A.

B. Life forms do arise and evolve elsewhere but events such as ice ages, asteroid impacts as experienced on earth destroy life before complex life forms can evolve.

According to Option B civilizations simply do not exist. This is not online with the first statement of Fermi Paradox.
Dorp option B.

C. Technological civilizations may destroy themselves before or shortly after radio or space flight technology through nuclear or biological warfare or accidental contamination.

Option C looks extreme. Extra terrestrial Civilization destoryj g themself sounds extreme.
Drop Option C.

D. It may be that advanced civilizations exist in our galaxy but they are simply too far apart for two-way communication to be effective.

Option D looks correct. It establishes that extra-terrestrial civilizations are present and also gives a possible reason why no contact with humans has not been established till now.
Keep Option D.

E. According to Judeo-Christian belief God has placed human beings as the only intelligent life in the universe.

No such external information cna be assumed.
Drop option E.

IMO answer should be Option D.

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Saupayan · Answer

Note that the paradox we need to resolve has 2 parts:
(i) technologically advanced civilizations very likely exist
(ii) there is no evidence to back up (i)

Now let's start looking at the answer choices:
A: the belief of some scientists is against (i). Such belief is really irrelevant to the argument. The question is "why don't we see them if they exist", and not "whether they exist at all"
E: suffers from a very similar issue as A
B and C have the same issue, so let's treat them together. The issue is similar to that in A, but not as stark. Options B & C state that advanced life forms "EXISTED" at some point of time, but don't any more (due to whatever reasons). This is not same as saying "they exist". While B and C do explain (ii), they fail to capture the essence of (i). Hence they are wrong as well
D: By POE D is the correct answer. However, let's just double check for sanity. D doesn't challenge the existence of advanced civilizations in our galaxy. However, it gives an alternate reason why we still don't have any evidence of their existence. Simply because they are too far away. Such an explanation allows for both (i) and (ii) to co-exist.

neha283 · Answer

The Fermi paradox is the apparent contradiction between high estimates of the probability of the existence of extra-terrestrial civilizations and the lack of evidence for or contact with such civilizations. Stated formally, Fermi's paradox states: the size and age of the universe suggest that many technologically advanced extra-terrestrial civilizations ought to exist. However, this belief seems logically inconsistent with the lack of observational evidence to support it.

Which of the following statements if true would most help to explain/resolve the Fermi paradox:

D. It may be that advanced civilizations exist in our galaxy but they are simply too far apart for two-way communication to be effective.

Which of the following statements if true would most help to explain/resolve the Fermi paradox:

A. Some scientists believe that the conditions needed for complex life to evolve are unique to earth and hence the likelihood of extra-terrestrial life is marginal. -  This discards the possibility of existence of ET civilizations besides our planet, doesn't help in resolving the paradox.

B. Life forms do arise and evolve elsewhere but events such as ice ages, asteroid impacts as experienced on earth destroy life before complex life forms can evolve. -  This says that before complex life forms could evolve, they are destroyed. Tempting choice, but fermi paradox talks about "technologically advanced extra-terrestrial civilizations ought to exist" , hence this doesn't explain the paradox.

C. Technological civilizations may destroy themselves before or shortly after radio or space flight technology through nuclear or biological warfare or accidental contamination. -  Again a tempting choice, but if they get destroyed after space flight technology, we may/may not find the trace of their existence. Hence, incorrect.

D. It may be that advanced civilizations exist in our galaxy but they are simply too far apart for two-way communication to be effective. -  This helps to explain the last sentence of passage that advanced civilizations do exist but are too far to gather any evidence on the basis of effective communication.

E. According to Judeo-Christian belief God has placed human beings as the only intelligent life in the universe. -  Out of scope, religious belief is not being considered here, moreover it contradicts the possibility of ET life in universe.

berdibekov · Answer

The Fermi paradox is the apparent contradiction between high estimates of the probability of the existence of extra-terrestrial civilizations and the lack of evidence for or contact with such civilizations. Stated formally, Fermi's paradox states: the size and age of the universe suggest that many technologically advanced extra-terrestrial civilizations ought to exist. However, this belief seems logically inconsistent with the lack of observational evidence to support it.

Which of the following statements if true would most help to explain/resolve the Fermi paradox:

D. It may be that advanced civilizations exist in our galaxy but they are simply too far apart for two-way communication to be effective.

Which of the following statements if true would most help to explain/resolve the Fermi paradox:

Pre-thinking: so there are at least three possible explanations:
1. Advanced civilizations (AC) do not want to contact with us
2. AC do contat us, but we do not realize that we are being contacted (too advanced technology, not recognizing 'messages'
3. We are missing 'messages'/or we didn't get them yet ....

A. Some scientists believe that the conditions needed for complex life to evolve are unique to earth and hence the likelihood of extra-terrest get them yet ....
 Passage itself states that AC existense is highly probable. This option tries to undermine this statement, therefore out

B. Life forms do arise and evolve elsewhere but events such as ice ages, asteroid impacts as experienced on earth destroy life before complex life forms can evolve.
this option conradicts to passage: . Therefore, out

C. Technological civilizations may destroy themselves before or shortly after radio or space flight technology through nuclear or biological warfare or accidental contamination.
 This option contradicts that statement that AC should exist

D. It may be that advanced civilizations exist in our galaxy but they are simply too far apart for two-way communication to be effective.
 A reasonable explanantion. If the AC is too far from us, we have may not yet received messages from them

E. According to Judeo-Christian belief God has placed human beings as the only intelligent life in the universe.  We are talking science here, not religion, therefore out

Answer is D

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GKomoku · Answer

The Fermi paradox is the apparent contradiction between high estimates of the probability of the existence of extra-terrestrial civilizations and the lack of evidence for or contact with such civilizations. Stated formally, Fermi's paradox states: the size and age of the universe suggest that many technologically advanced extra-terrestrial civilizations ought to exist. However, this belief seems logically inconsistent with the lack of observational evidence to support it.

Which of the following statements if true would most help to explain/resolve the Fermi paradox:

Meaning analysis:
1. We have some info about The Fermi paradox
2. It's about probability of the existence of extra-terrestrial civilizations VS lack of evidence for or contact with such civilizations
3. Paradox says: bigger size and age of civilization --> many technologically advanced extra-terrestrial civilizations ought to exist
4. However, people think it's illogical
5. Because of no observational evidence to support this

So, in resolve the paradox question we need to find answer choice that will explain how this paradox possible or add some extra piece of information that show how two ideas can coexist. We don't need to destroy or disprove one situation to prove another right.

POE:

~~A. Some scientists believe that the conditions needed for complex life to evolve are unique to earth and hence the likelihood of extra-terrestrial life is marginal.~~
"some" be careful with some, it's not enough here that some think in certain way, and it's not clear what does complex life mean here, it doesn't matter

~~B. Life forms do arise and evolve elsewhere but events such as ice ages, asteroid impacts as experienced on earth destroy life before complex life forms can evolve.~~
we don't care about other event that affect different civilizations, it's random event and doesn't help up to solve our paradox

~~C. Technological civilizations may destroy themselves before or shortly after radio or space flight technology through nuclear or biological warfare or accidental contamination.~~
this is more or less close to resolve but doesn't support idea of luck of evidence

D. It may be that advanced civilizations exist in our galaxy but they are simply too far apart for two-way communication to be effective.
this seems what we are looking for, both ideas have right to live here

~~E. According to Judeo-Christian belief God has placed human beings as the only intelligent life in the universe.~~
nope, no religion here)

(D) is the answer.

skg315 · Answer

this is a paradox type so it doesn't have a conclusion

premise or argument 1: that size & age of universe suggest that technologically advanced ET civilization ought to exist.

counterpremise or argument 2: this belief is logically inconsistent with lack of observational evidence to support it.

this is known as the Fermi paradox . to resolve this we need something that keeps both the arguments in line and provides a link between them rather than strengthening one or weakening the other.

A: irrelevant 
as conditions for complex life to evolve is not part of argument

B: incorrect 
again evolution of complex life form is not the issue

C: incorrect
it supports that technologically advanced ET might exist but doesn't support the lack of observational evidence.

D: correct
it gives proper justification as to why we have had no contact with ET even though they may be an advanced civilization.

E: incorrect
irrelevant as belief of Judeo-christian doesn't support that other advanced civilizations exist

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EatMyDosa · Answer

Argument analysis:

Paradox: Estimates suggest that extra-terrestrial civilizations exist. If that’s true, why is there a lack of observational evidence to support the belief?
So, the options that answers the question - why there is no observational evidence or contact regarding extra-terrestrial civilizations – will be the correct option.

Option analysis:

Which of the following statements if true would most help to explain/resolve the Fermi paradox:

A. Some scientists believe that the conditions needed for complex life to evolve are unique to earth and hence the likelihood of extra-terrestrial life is marginal.

Two issues with this option:

1. “some” scientists – Number of scientists who hold this belief could be anywhere between 1 to significantly large no., so we can’t accurately assess the impact of this option.

2. “likelihood is marginal” – this directly contradicts the information in the passage which mentions “high estimates of the probability of the existence of extra-terrestrial civilizations”

Paradox is unresolved - REJECT

B. Life forms do arise and evolve elsewhere but events such as ice ages, asteroid impacts as experienced on earth destroy life before complex life forms can evolve.

This option makes a sweeping assumption that life forms in all parts of the universe have been destroyed by aforementioned events (except Earth) before those life forms could evolve into complex life form. But if that’s the case, why Earth still has complex life forms?

Paradox is unresolved - REJECT

C. Technological civilizations may destroy themselves before or shortly after radio or space flight technology through nuclear or biological warfare or accidental contamination.

This option explains how technological civilizations destroy themselves but is incorrect because:

1. Option says that TCs may destroy. So, what about TCs which are not destroyed so far. Why is there a lack of observational evidence or contact with surviving TCs to prove their existence?

Paradox is unresolved – REJECT

D. It may be that advanced civilizations exist in our galaxy but they are simply too far apart for two-way communication to be effective.

CORRECT – this gives us a reason for lack of “observational evidence or contact”. Contact with such civilizations in not possible because they are too far to establish a two-way communication with them

E. According to Judeo-Christian belief God has placed human beings as the only intelligent life in the universe.

This option is incorrect because of two reasons:

1. Contradicts the information in the argument - “many technologically advanced extra-terrestrial civilizations ought to exist”

2. We don’t know if belief is TRUE or FALSE. What is believed is not necessarily true.

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IanStewart · Answer

The mention of "two-way communication" is fatal to answer D, which simply can't be the correct answer here (even if it is the "OA"). Paraphrasing the Fermi paradox as the stem presents it, "advanced aliens should be out there, so why don't we see any signs of them?" It does not say "aliens are out there, so why are we not having conversations with them?" Even if we wouldn't be able to engage in "two-way communication" with an advanced planet at the other end of the galaxy, we could still get radio signals from them 100,000 years after they were sent. But we're not even detecting radio signals from other planets -- that's the essence of the paradox, and that's what we need to explain. Why aren't we even seeing any  one-way  communication?

The Fermi paradox is a real thing, and the stem here doesn't describe it correctly, but people have proposed dozens of explanations of it. One popular explanation is described in answer C (maybe intelligent life invariably destroys itself) which is the only good answer here, even if it's problematic because it seems to dispute a premise. Or maybe intelligent life is a lot rarer than Fermi and others thought, which answer A alludes to (though A could never be right from its wording -- "intelligent life is rare" is a possible resolution, but "some people believe intelligent life is rare" is not, because the fact that "some people believe" something doesn't resolve anything). Or maybe intelligent life elsewhere isn't interested in communication, among other possibilities. But radio signals travel forever in space, so distances are no obstacle to one-way communication, and D is not one of the explanations people have proposed.

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HOT Competition: The Fermi paradox is the apparent contradiction betwe

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