Astrology is considered by many a false science, but it is in fact a t

Question

Astrology is considered by many a false science, but it is in fact a true field of science, because it uses scientiﬁc methods, such as the analysis of cause and effect and careful documentation of observations over time by many individuals.

The conclusion above is properly drawn if which of the following is assumed?

A. If a ﬁeld of study can conclusively answer the questions it raises, then it is a genuine science.

B. Since astrology uses scientiﬁc methods, it will produce credible results.

C. Any enterprise that does not use the analysis of cause and effect and careful documentation of observations over time by many individuals is not genuine science.

D. If a ﬁeld of study employs scientiﬁc methods, that field of study is true field of science, regardless of what that field of study might concern or conclude.

E. Since astrology depends on the observation of stars, it depends on the analysis of cause and effect and careful documentation of observations over time by many individuals.

Source:  GMAT Free  (14)

ArtVandaley · Answer

Only C uses the correct logical structure that if x-> Y. And If not Y-> not X.

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Bunuel · Answer

Official Explanation Reading the question: this is a brief, pseudo-syllogistic argument, so we will use term matching. https://gmatclub.com/forum/download/file.php?id=50209 The conclusion comes at the beginning of this argument; "Astrology is a true field of science" is the opinion that draws on the other facts for support. The improperly matched term is "true field of science." The most critical assumption is roughly, "A field that uses scientific methods is a true field of science." That statement or a variant of it, such as its contrapositive, is what we're expecting as the answer. Applying the filter: (C) and (D) both have the right terms involved. Choice (D) matches our prediction. Choice (C) is the logical inversion of what we're looking for, so it is not correct. Logical proof: We can prove choice (D) with the negation test. Say that employing scientiﬁc methods did not make that field of study is true field of science. In that case, the argument falls apart. Since the negation of (D) destroys the argument, (D) itself is assumed by the argument. The correct answer is (D). image028.jpg

Subhrajyoti · Answer

Assumption: Any line of work/study which uses scientific methods is a true science, only answer D talks about this.
2nd method: This can be tackeled using supported assumption technique, i.e. what are the points which needs to be linked via assumption-- if you see, a coorect assumption would be linking scientic methods with true scince, again only D does that linkage

anadybella · Answer

I agree with you...

jaisonsunny77 · Answer

Conclusion:  Astrology is a true field of science

Why?  because it uses scientiﬁc methods  (such as the analysis of cause and effect and careful documentation of observations over time by many individuals).

If this conclusion must hold, then it must be true that sufficing the 'scientific method' criteria is enough to be classified as a true field of science - this must be the assumption.

Only C and D come close to this description. So, let us analyze these two options carefully.

C.  Any enterprise that does not use the analysis of cause and effect and careful documentation of observations over time by many individuals is not genuine science.  - This certainly would seem confusing at first but upon careful reading, we understand that (C) talks about the opposite of what's mentioned in the passage.

In other words, we certainly know that Astronomy is being considered as a true science simply because it uses scientific methods. The passage does not talk about those enterprises that do not use scientific methods. Hence,  we cannot make any comment on those enterprises that do not use scientific methods. Therefore,  eliminate (C)

D.  If a ﬁeld of study employs scientiﬁc methods, that field of study is true field of science, regardless of what that field of study might concern or conclude.  - This is in line with what's stated in the passage. Hence,   (D) is the correct option

egmat · Answer

The correct answer is option D.

Understanding the passage 
- Astrology: considered a false science by many
- Conclusion (author's claim): it is a true field of science
- Logic: Because it uses scientific methods, such as
 1. Analysis of cause and effect
 2. Documentation of observations, over time by many individuals

Pre-Thinking 
In what scenario would Astrology NOT be a true field of science?
Given that - it uses scientific methods

What if simply using scientific methods does not equate to the field being a field of science? The author's core assumption here is that a ny field of study that employs scientific methods can be considered a field of science.

Option Choice Analysis 
 A. If a ﬁeld of study can conclusively answer the questions it raises, then it is a genuine science. 
Whether Astrology is able to answer the questions it raises is not something we know about in the passage. This option is out of the scope of the argument (which is about scientific method leading to consideration of a field as a science). Incorrect choice.

B. Since astrology uses scientiﬁc methods, it will produce credible results. 
Out of scope. Whether the results are credible or not does not impact the argument about astrology being a science.

C. Any enterprise that does not use the analysis of cause and effect and careful documentation of observations over time by many individuals is not genuine science.
 
Interesting choice. But incorrect on two counts. 
1. Cause and Effect analysis, and documentation are 2 examples given for scientific methods. There may be other examples. So, an enterprise may not use these 2 methods, but use other scientific methods, and therefore may still be considered a science as per the author's argument.
2. Even if these 2 are the only aspects that constitute scientific method, that only means that
 An enterprise that does not use scientific method is not genuine science. But does this imply that an enterprise that uses scientific method is definitely genuine science? Not really! The passage essentially talks about a different segment (enterprise that uses scientific method), whereas the option talks about another segment (enterprises that do not use scientific method). Since the option talks about a completely different segment, this option can not be the correct assumption.

D. If a ﬁeld of study employs scientiﬁc methods, that field of study is true field of science, regardless of what that field of study might concern or conclude. 
This is correct, and in line with our analysis. In other words, a field of study which uses scientific methods will be considered a true field of science.

E. Since astrology depends on the observation of stars, it depends on the analysis of cause and effect and careful documentation of observations over time by many individuals. 
This only tells us why astrology uses the 2 scientific methods given as an example. It does not help us make the claim that astrology is a true field of science.

Hope this helps.

Astrology is considered by many a false science, but it is in fact a t

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Astrology is considered by many a false science, but it is in fact a t

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