PrepTest 156, Section 3, Question 9
Passage A is adapted from a book review(497 more words not shown)
Passage A(12 more words not shown)
Passage B(493 more words not shown)
Which one of the following(17 more words not shown)
- AThere are principles(12 more words not shown)
- BEither all knowledge(17 more words not shown)
- CScientific facts are(17 more words not shown)
- DIf the existence(17 more words not shown)
- EThe support that(19 more words not shown)
Reading the passage
Both writers know the controlled tests have failed. The disagreement concerns what follows. B moves from failure to demonstrate paranormal powers to their nonexistence. A rejects that move by allowing that something real might be inaccessible to those tests.
What we’re looking for
Look for a principle that makes B's inference work and that Dyson would reject. A statement merely mentioning science or quantum physics isn't enough.
Working the answers
- A
Dyson applies one quantum-physics principle here. That does not commit him to applying every such principle to every human behavior. He could agree that some principles cannot be applied, so this need not be a disagreement.
- B
This forces an all-or-nothing choice about knowledge generally. Neither argument depends on that exhaustive division, and A explicitly notes that most people hold views between the extremes.
- C
Dyson doesn't say scientific facts change with a person's philosophy. He disputes what the failed tests establish about phenomena that might be beyond their reach.
- DCorrect
B treats unsuccessful controlled tests as grounds for saying the phenomena do not exist. Dyson's hypothesis directly rejects that rule: paranormal phenomena could exist even if scientific investigation cannot demonstrate them. This is the precise step dividing the arguments.
- E
Relative strength of evidence isn't the decisive issue. Dyson can regard controlled tests as stronger evidence in general while still thinking anecdotes support a possibility those tests cannot reach. We are not given a rejection by A of this ranking.
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