Some philosophers of science claim that no serious scientific theory

Question

Some philosophers of science claim that no serious scientific theory can be tested experimentally without taking for granted some other body of scientific beliefs, for we cannot interpret any experimental results without relying on such beliefs.

If this is true, then which of the following conclusions seems most likely?

A) Any particular scientific theory can be consistently retained, even in the face of apparently incompatible evidence, if we are willing to give up certain other scientific beliefs.

B) Experimental evidence is really irrelevant to scientific theorizing.

C) Experimental evidence is more relevant to the testing of scientific theories than to their initial formulation.

D) Experimental evidence is more relevant to the initial formulation of scientific theories than to their testing.

E) The best scientific theories are those which are formulated in such a way as to be subject to conclusive experimental refutation.

anuramm · Answer

sorry guys, the OA is A -

Choice A is the conclusion which follows most directly from the philosophical thesis. If an experimental result is in conflict with some theory or set of beliefs, by discarding those experimental observations, we can retain the theory. Choices B,C, D, are incorrect, because the passage does not address the issue of the relevance of experimentation. Choice E may be true, but does not follow from the argument presented in the passage.

Paul · Answer

I'd go with A
Scientific theories depend on beliefs rather than experimentation. Hence, give up some beliefs and you will get the theories you want.

venksune · Answer

Agree with A. We can still retain the theory by not considering the experimental observations - IF the experiment has a conflict with some theory or set of beliefs.

acfuture · Answer

first of all, ps_dahiya, that is pretty nasty...and wrong...ahhahaaa

from the passage, I am understanding it as scientific theory can not be tested without some other scientific belief (may be some foundation of science,..ie gravety, atoms...) and that we are not able to interpret them correctly if some of the foundations are not applied.

A. for me, A is restating the passage in a shorter way. Will hold on to it and see if there is something better.

B. irrelevant? passage states that they are relevant...

C and D are comparing "Experimental evidence, testing of scientific theory, and initial formulation" 

E. Passage does not talk the "best," more like "no serious scientific theory "

Final answer A

u2lover · Answer

I picked C :oops:

OA is A dahiya, acfuture nice job!!! i really thought this one was tough especially with time constraint OE: Choice A is the conclusion which follows most directly from the philosophical thesis. If an experimental result is in conflict with some theory or set of beliefs, by discarding those experimental observations, we can retain the theory. Choices B,C, D, are incorrect, because the passage does not address the issue of the relevance of experimentation. Choice E may be true, but does not follow from the argument presented in the passage.

lexis · Answer

Author is trying to prove: Relying on beliefs, scientist can test experimentally any theories. Without beliefs, there is no theory can be tested experimentally.

B,C,D are comparing experimental evidence, IRRELEVANT.
E say: The best theories: We dont care which theory is the best.

A says: We can retain a theory even there is evidence encountering it if we has belief (eliminate other beliefs).

A is best.

vyassaptarashi · Answer

According to me its A

author is saying that in order to prove some serious scientific theory one has to ignore or take granted the other body of scientific belief.

B,C,D tells us only about the experiment and thus irrelevant.
E tells us about the best theories thus irrelevant.

A says: a theory, which does not have enough evidences, can be retained, only if we give up some other beliefs.... thats exactly what stimulus tells us

Hence A is the answer

Crytiocanalyst · Answer

This is possible since then some experiments can be made relevant by procuring experimental data from other theories that are not tested out 
Therefore let us hang on to it

This is a oversimplification that has to be avoided and uses strong language that Gmat doesn't encourage

This is also a implication that is cannot be decided with the fiven premise of the argument

Similar reasoning as C

it never stated the same the term 'best' was never quoted in the argument and is completely subjective hence we are leaving the same out

Therefore IMO A

VerbalBot · Answer

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Some philosophers of science claim that no serious scientific theory

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Some philosophers of science claim that no serious scientific theory

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