RC Question 11 Explanation
DISCUSSION: This is an unusually tricky author’s attitude question. We see the author’s attitude to multiverses in paragraph 6.
The author asks whether their theory disproves multiverses. They say “I do not think this is necessarily the case”.
Now, imagine you were dating someone. You say to them: “I love you”, for the first time. They are silent. You ask them: “Oh….I guess you don’t love me, do you?”
They reply with this phrase: “….I do not think this [that I don’t love you] is necessarily the case”. [this = them not loving you. So they’re saying they might love you, maybe]
Is this advocacy for love? No……Enthusiasm? Not that, either…..At best it’s open-mindedness to the idea.
You really wouldn’t be all that happy to hear such a phrase. But….it’s not dismissive or skeptical either. They didn’t say “shut up” (dismissive) or “I’m not sure I do?” (skeptical). So at least the person doesn’t….hate you I guess.
___________
- No, see the final half of paragraph 6: the author says some models of the birth of the universe would make us expect a multiverse.
- Same as A. At the end of paragraph 6, the author argues that multiverses may exist, and may even solve other cosmological puzzles.
- CORRECT. See the discussion above. The author’s key phrase about the existence of a multiverse is to say “I do not think this is necessarily the case” that multiverses do not exist. So they’re arguing that there is a possibility that multiverses may exist. But it’s hardly enthusiasm or certainty.
- An advocate for multiverses would say: “multiverses do exist, for sure. Here are several reasons why!”
The author did give multiple reasons, but their own assessment of multiverses’ existence was rather cautious. - The author wasn’t enthusiastic (or unenthusiastic). They were pretty neutral. Example of enthusiasm: Multiverses are one of the most exciting theories to come out of cosmology in a long time. They have the potential to revolutionize our view of physics!
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