LSAT Explanation PT 42, S4, Q15: Some scientists have expressed reservations about

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following principles most helps to justify the reasoning above? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Principle question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is B. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

The question type for this problem is Principle, and we are asked to identify a principle that helps justify the reasoning in the passage.

Let's first analyze the argument in the passage:

Premise: Some scientists have reservations about quantum theory because of its counterintuitive consequences.

Premise: Despite rigorous attempts to disprove quantum theory's predictions, they were shown to be accurate within the generally accepted statistical margin of error.

Conclusion: These results, which have not been equaled by quantum theory's competitors, warrant acceptance of quantum theory.

The argument states that because attempts to disprove quantum theory have failed, and its predictions have been accurate, we should accept quantum theory. An "Evaluate" question for this argument could be "Do the failed attempts to disprove quantum theory and its accurate predictions truly warrant its acceptance?"

Now let's discuss each answer choice:

a) A scientific theory should be accepted if it has fewer counterintuitive consequences than its competitors.

This answer choice is incorrect because the passage's reasoning is not based on fewer counterintuitive consequences, but on the fact that the consequences have not been disproven.

b) A scientific theory should be accepted if it has been subjected to serious attempts to disprove it and has withstood all of them.

This is the correct answer choice. If we accept this principle, then the argument in the passage is strengthened. The principle essentially states that if a scientific theory has withstood serious attempts to disprove it, then it should be accepted. Since the passage tells us that quantum theory has withstood such attempts, according to this principle, it should be accepted.

c) The consequences of a scientific theory should not be considered counterintuitive if the theory's predictions have been found to be accurate.

This answer choice is incorrect because it leads to a different conclusion than the one in the passage. The passage's conclusion is that quantum theory should be accepted, while this principle would only lead us to conclude that the consequences should not be considered counterintuitive.

d) A theory should not be rejected until it has been subjected to serious attempts to disprove it.

This answer choice is incorrect because it doesn't help justify the argument. The passage meets the necessary condition of being subjected to serious attempts to disprove it, but that doesn't guarantee the sufficient condition of accepting the theory.

e) A theory should be accepted only if its predictions have not been disproved by experiment.

This answer choice is the Mistaken Reversal of answer choice (B). Applying this principle fails to justify the argument since only the necessary condition is met, and that does not prove the sufficient condition (in this case, that the theory should be accepted) will occur. Hence, this answer choice is incorrect.