PT1.S3.Q5 - In 1960, an astronomer proposed..

camillawolff

Why is A wrong

AlexLSAT.

Stimulus: Astronomer made a mathematical model to determine if extraterrestrial life exists. He assumes that life as we know it can can only exist on planets and that many stars are orbited by planets. Since there are 9 planets and one of them has life, he concludes that there are as many as 1 million extraterrestrial civilizations across all solar systems. However, astronomers have not detected one planet outside the solar system, so therefore the model is wrong and life as we know it is only on planet earth.

A : Okay? We don't care about forms of life other than life as we know it since the entire argument is about life as we know it.
B : This AC does not help, and actually strengthens the argument. The astronomer relies on the assumption that many stars are orbited by planets. Wrong direction.
C : This gives a reason as to why scientists could have searched and not found it, which allows for the astronomer's model to not be wrong and life potentially existing outside planet Earth, which completely weakens the argument.
D : What if the assumptions are not sound? We just go right back to square one, so this AC does nothing.
E : Who cares if they contact us? The argument is about us trying to finding them ourselves.