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Despite the best efforts of astronomers, no one has yet succeeded in exchanging messages with intelligent life on other planets or in other solar systems. In fact, no one has even managed to prove that any kind of extraterrestrial life exists. Thus, there is clearly no intelligent life anywhere but on Earth.
The argument’s reasoning is flawed because the argument
  • a)
    fails to consider that there might be extraterrestrial forms of intelligence that are not living beings
  • b)
    confuses an absence of evidence for a hypothesis with the existence of evidence against the hypothesis
  • c)
    interprets a disagreement over a scientific theory as a disproof of that theory
  • d)
    makes an inference that relies on the vagueness of the term “life”
  • e)
    relies on a weak analogy rather than on evidence to draw a conclusion
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
Most Upvoted Answer
Despite the best efforts of astronomers, no one has yet succeeded in e...
In the statement is flawed and based on several assumptions that are not necessarily true.

Firstly, the statement assumes that the lack of success in exchanging messages with intelligent life or proving the existence of extraterrestrial life implies its nonexistence. However, absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. Just because we haven't found evidence yet, doesn't mean that intelligent life doesn't exist elsewhere in the universe.

Secondly, the statement assumes that astronomers' efforts are exhaustive and representative of all possible methods of detecting or contacting extraterrestrial life. However, our current technological capabilities and methods of searching for extraterrestrial life are limited. There might be forms of life or communication that we are unable to detect or understand at the moment.

Furthermore, the statement assumes that intelligent life can only exist in a way that is recognizable or understandable by humans. It is possible that intelligent life on other planets might have completely different forms of communication or technology that we are currently unable to comprehend.

Lastly, the statement assumes that Earth is the only planet capable of supporting intelligent life. Given the vastness of the universe and the countless number of potentially habitable planets, it is statistically unlikely that Earth is the only planet where intelligent life exists.

In conclusion, the argument that there is no intelligent life anywhere but on Earth is based on flawed assumptions and lacks sufficient evidence. It is premature to make such a definitive statement until further exploration and technological advancements are made.
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Despite the best efforts of astronomers, no one has yet succeeded in e...
Option (A) fails to consider that there might be extraterrestrial forms of intelligence that are not living beings.
This option does not accurately describe the flaw in the argument's reasoning. The argument does not address the possibility of extraterrestrial forms of intelligence that are not living beings. The flaw lies in the argument's assumption that the absence of evidence for intelligent extraterrestrial life is evidence against its existence, rather than considering alternative possibilities.
Option (B) confuses an absence of evidence for a hypothesis with the existence of evidence against the hypothesis.
This option accurately describes the flaw in the argument's reasoning. The argument assumes that because there is no evidence of intelligent extraterrestrial life, it is evidence against the existence of such life. However, the absence of evidence does not necessarily prove the non-existence of something. It is possible that evidence has not yet been discovered or that the methods used to search for it have been insufficient.
Option (C) interprets a disagreement over a scientific theory as a disproof of that theory.
This option does not accurately describe the flaw in the argument's reasoning. The argument does not involve a disagreement over a scientific theory. It is focused on the absence of evidence and making a conclusion based on that absence.
Option (D) makes an inference that relies on the vagueness of the term "life."
This option does not accurately describe the flaw in the argument's reasoning. The argument does not rely on the vagueness of the term "life" in making its conclusion. It is concerned with the absence of evidence for intelligent extraterrestrial life and drawing a conclusion based on that absence.
Option (E) relies on a weak analogy rather than on evidence to draw a conclusion.
This option does not accurately describe the flaw in the argument's reasoning. The argument does not rely on an analogy to draw its conclusion. It is based on the absence of evidence for intelligent extraterrestrial life and making a conclusion based on that absence.
In summary, option (B) is the most accurate description of the flaw in the argument's reasoning, as it correctly identifies the confusion between the absence of evidence and evidence against a hypothesis.
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Despite the best efforts of astronomers, no one has yet succeeded in exchanging messages with intelligent life on other planets or in other solar systems. In fact, no one has even managed to prove that any kind of extraterrestrial life exists. Thus, there is clearly no intelligent life anywhere but on Earth.The argument’s reasoning is flawed because the argumenta)fails to consider that there might be extraterrestrial forms of intelligence that are not living beingsb)confuses an absence of evidence for a hypothesis with the existence of evidence against the hypothesisc)interprets a disagreement over a scientific theory as a disproof of that theoryd)makes an inference that relies on the vagueness of the term “life”e)relies on a weak analogy rather than on evidence to draw a conclusionCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
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Despite the best efforts of astronomers, no one has yet succeeded in exchanging messages with intelligent life on other planets or in other solar systems. In fact, no one has even managed to prove that any kind of extraterrestrial life exists. Thus, there is clearly no intelligent life anywhere but on Earth.The argument’s reasoning is flawed because the argumenta)fails to consider that there might be extraterrestrial forms of intelligence that are not living beingsb)confuses an absence of evidence for a hypothesis with the existence of evidence against the hypothesisc)interprets a disagreement over a scientific theory as a disproof of that theoryd)makes an inference that relies on the vagueness of the term “life”e)relies on a weak analogy rather than on evidence to draw a conclusionCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? for GMAT 2024 is part of GMAT preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the GMAT exam syllabus. Information about Despite the best efforts of astronomers, no one has yet succeeded in exchanging messages with intelligent life on other planets or in other solar systems. In fact, no one has even managed to prove that any kind of extraterrestrial life exists. Thus, there is clearly no intelligent life anywhere but on Earth.The argument’s reasoning is flawed because the argumenta)fails to consider that there might be extraterrestrial forms of intelligence that are not living beingsb)confuses an absence of evidence for a hypothesis with the existence of evidence against the hypothesisc)interprets a disagreement over a scientific theory as a disproof of that theoryd)makes an inference that relies on the vagueness of the term “life”e)relies on a weak analogy rather than on evidence to draw a conclusionCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for GMAT 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Despite the best efforts of astronomers, no one has yet succeeded in exchanging messages with intelligent life on other planets or in other solar systems. In fact, no one has even managed to prove that any kind of extraterrestrial life exists. Thus, there is clearly no intelligent life anywhere but on Earth.The argument’s reasoning is flawed because the argumenta)fails to consider that there might be extraterrestrial forms of intelligence that are not living beingsb)confuses an absence of evidence for a hypothesis with the existence of evidence against the hypothesisc)interprets a disagreement over a scientific theory as a disproof of that theoryd)makes an inference that relies on the vagueness of the term “life”e)relies on a weak analogy rather than on evidence to draw a conclusionCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?.
Solutions for Despite the best efforts of astronomers, no one has yet succeeded in exchanging messages with intelligent life on other planets or in other solar systems. In fact, no one has even managed to prove that any kind of extraterrestrial life exists. Thus, there is clearly no intelligent life anywhere but on Earth.The argument’s reasoning is flawed because the argumenta)fails to consider that there might be extraterrestrial forms of intelligence that are not living beingsb)confuses an absence of evidence for a hypothesis with the existence of evidence against the hypothesisc)interprets a disagreement over a scientific theory as a disproof of that theoryd)makes an inference that relies on the vagueness of the term “life”e)relies on a weak analogy rather than on evidence to draw a conclusionCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? in English & in Hindi are available as part of our courses for GMAT. Download more important topics, notes, lectures and mock test series for GMAT Exam by signing up for free.
Here you can find the meaning of Despite the best efforts of astronomers, no one has yet succeeded in exchanging messages with intelligent life on other planets or in other solar systems. In fact, no one has even managed to prove that any kind of extraterrestrial life exists. Thus, there is clearly no intelligent life anywhere but on Earth.The argument’s reasoning is flawed because the argumenta)fails to consider that there might be extraterrestrial forms of intelligence that are not living beingsb)confuses an absence of evidence for a hypothesis with the existence of evidence against the hypothesisc)interprets a disagreement over a scientific theory as a disproof of that theoryd)makes an inference that relies on the vagueness of the term “life”e)relies on a weak analogy rather than on evidence to draw a conclusionCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? defined & explained in the simplest way possible. Besides giving the explanation of Despite the best efforts of astronomers, no one has yet succeeded in exchanging messages with intelligent life on other planets or in other solar systems. In fact, no one has even managed to prove that any kind of extraterrestrial life exists. Thus, there is clearly no intelligent life anywhere but on Earth.The argument’s reasoning is flawed because the argumenta)fails to consider that there might be extraterrestrial forms of intelligence that are not living beingsb)confuses an absence of evidence for a hypothesis with the existence of evidence against the hypothesisc)interprets a disagreement over a scientific theory as a disproof of that theoryd)makes an inference that relies on the vagueness of the term “life”e)relies on a weak analogy rather than on evidence to draw a conclusionCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?, a detailed solution for Despite the best efforts of astronomers, no one has yet succeeded in exchanging messages with intelligent life on other planets or in other solar systems. In fact, no one has even managed to prove that any kind of extraterrestrial life exists. Thus, there is clearly no intelligent life anywhere but on Earth.The argument’s reasoning is flawed because the argumenta)fails to consider that there might be extraterrestrial forms of intelligence that are not living beingsb)confuses an absence of evidence for a hypothesis with the existence of evidence against the hypothesisc)interprets a disagreement over a scientific theory as a disproof of that theoryd)makes an inference that relies on the vagueness of the term “life”e)relies on a weak analogy rather than on evidence to draw a conclusionCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? has been provided alongside types of Despite the best efforts of astronomers, no one has yet succeeded in exchanging messages with intelligent life on other planets or in other solar systems. In fact, no one has even managed to prove that any kind of extraterrestrial life exists. Thus, there is clearly no intelligent life anywhere but on Earth.The argument’s reasoning is flawed because the argumenta)fails to consider that there might be extraterrestrial forms of intelligence that are not living beingsb)confuses an absence of evidence for a hypothesis with the existence of evidence against the hypothesisc)interprets a disagreement over a scientific theory as a disproof of that theoryd)makes an inference that relies on the vagueness of the term “life”e)relies on a weak analogy rather than on evidence to draw a conclusionCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? theory, EduRev gives you an ample number of questions to practice Despite the best efforts of astronomers, no one has yet succeeded in exchanging messages with intelligent life on other planets or in other solar systems. In fact, no one has even managed to prove that any kind of extraterrestrial life exists. Thus, there is clearly no intelligent life anywhere but on Earth.The argument’s reasoning is flawed because the argumenta)fails to consider that there might be extraterrestrial forms of intelligence that are not living beingsb)confuses an absence of evidence for a hypothesis with the existence of evidence against the hypothesisc)interprets a disagreement over a scientific theory as a disproof of that theoryd)makes an inference that relies on the vagueness of the term “life”e)relies on a weak analogy rather than on evidence to draw a conclusionCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? tests, examples and also practice GMAT tests.
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