Copernicus’s astronomical system is superior to Ptolemy’s and was so

Question

Copernicus’s astronomical system is superior to Ptolemy’s and was so at the time it was proposed, even though at that time all observational evidence was equally consistent with both theories. Ptolemy believed that the stars revolved around the earth at great speeds. This struck Copernicus as unlikely; he correctly thought that a simpler theory is that the earth rotates on its axis.

The argument most closely conforms to which one of the following principles?

The argument most closely conforms to which one of the following principles?

(A) Simplicity should be the sole deciding factor in choosing among competing scientific theories.

(B) If one theory is likely to be true, and another competing theory is likely to be false, then the one likely to be true is the superior of the two.

(C) If all observational evidence is consistent with two competing theories, the one that is more intuitively true is the more practical theory to adopt.

(D) Other things being equal, the more complex of two competing theories is the inferior theory.

(E) Other things being equal, the simpler of two competing theories is the more scientifically important theory.

arora1 · Accepted Answer

Let us analyze each option...

Sole  deciding factor is too strong

None of the theory is said to be  proven false  (in past). It is only now that the theory of Copernicus can be said to be true

Practicality of a theory and adoptness aspect are not mentioned.

Correct

No where does the prompt mention about  scientifc importance and its criteria

ravigupta2912 · Answer

A, B and C can be eliminated for being completely out of scope. Between D and E, E talks of "scientifically more important theory". The passage stem speaks of which theory was considered more superior and not of their relative importance. It could be possible that both were equally important.

D fixes the error and directly generalises the conclusion. Complex of the two was considered inferior. Correct.

D fixes the error and directly generalises the conclusion. Complex of the two was considered inferior. Correct.

Yellkrishna · Answer

A. No, it should not be the sole deciding factor, according to the passage.

B. The likelihood of one being right and other being wrong was not known ‘at the time C’s theory was proposed.

C. Intuitive is out of scope.

D. This fits the description.

E. Scientific importance was not touched upon in the argument.

Posted from my mobile device

bidskamikaze · Answer

(A) Simplicity should be the sole deciding factor in choosing among competing scientific theories. -  OK.. but whether to adopt the simpler one or the complex one is not stated.

(B) If one theory is likely to be true, and another competing theory is likely to be false, then the one likely to be true is the superior of the two.-  As per the passage, both theories were equally likely ("...at that time all observational evidence was equally consistent with both theories.")

(C) If all observational evidence is consistent with two competing theories, the one that is more intuitively true is the more practical theory to adopt.

(D) Other things being equal, the more complex of two competing theories is the inferior theory. -  CORRECT. "he correctly thought that a  simpler theory  is that the earth rotates on its axis." This shows that Copernicus's theory was simpler, and therefore Ptolemy's theory was more complex.

(E) Other things being equal, the simpler of two competing theories is the more scientifically important theory. -  Scientific importance is irrelevant.

D is correct.

sssanskaar · Answer

It literally took me 3 mins 45 seconds to solve such a simple yet super tricky question!
Was stuck between options C and D. (was confusing the phrase - " This struck Copernicus as unlikely " - with intuitiveness!)

Ultimately, one has to betray the ear and just trust the hard facts presented in the argument. Option D wins.

VerbalBot · Answer

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Copernicus’s astronomical system is superior to Ptolemy’s and was so

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Copernicus’s astronomical system is superior to Ptolemy’s and was so

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