Observatory director: Some say that funding the megatelescope will benefit only the astronomers who will work with it...
MrLawNovember 10, 2019
Why not D?
I don't understand why E is the right answer? Answer D seems a more appropriate answer. The Director of the Observatory is trying to justify a large piece of equipment that comes with a price-tag (economic). The theories of the named scientists (intellectuals) came with applicable benefits. It looks like the Observatory director is trying justify an economic expenditure by comparing it to an intellectual endeavor.
I didn't think it disingenuous to compare a megatelescope to the theories of great intellectuals since observatories are used by scientists. The difference to me was an economic cost versus an intellectual theory.
Reply
Create a free account to read and
take part in forum discussions.
Interesting line of reasoning. However, I think that you may be adding some of your own ideas into your analysis of the stimulus.
The word "benefit" in the stimulus was never used in different ways between the discussion of the megatelescope and the work of great intellectuals. The argument is more focused on the fact that the funding is not considered to be worth the expense by some because the benefit will only apply to astronomers. This benefit is not necessarily economic, because perhaps it will only help advance knowledge in their field, as opposed to benefiting many disciplines and/or the general public.
Answer choice E is the correct answer because the observatory director gave no reason for the reader to think that this megatelescope is somehow comparable to the works of Einstein. Imagine if someone said "You didn't support my 6th grade science project, but now imagine the consequences if you didn't support Einstein in his research." This would probably make you wonder, how do you think your 6th grade science project is at all comparable? This is because the speaker did not show that this science project had comparable potential to Einstein's work.
