QUESTION TYPE: Principle-Strengthen
CONCLUSION: Quantum theory should be accepted.
REASONING: Quantum theory’s predictions have been shown to be accurate within the margin of error, and its competitors’ predictions have not been accurate.
ANALYSIS: The reasoning in the stimulus seems strong. If the predictions are correct, why shouldn’t we accept them?
Well, Newton’s physics made predictions which were very accurate. It took quite a long time for physicists to realize that the predictions were not valid in all situations.
A single false prediction can disprove a theory which was “proven” correct millions of times.
We need an answer which allows us to accept the theory, despite the fact that it could still be wrong.
___________
- Quantum mechanics actually has more counterintuitive consequences. This doesn’t help.
- CORRECT. Quantum mechanics has been subjected to serious attempts to disprove it, and the latter failed. This principle allows us to accept the theory.
- We care about accepting the theory, not whether it should be called counterintuitive.
- We care about accepting the theory, not when it ought not to be rejected.
- This tells us about a necessary condition for accepting a theory. We want a sufficient condition.
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