Hi Ann,
This is an interesting one, and (A) and (B) are obviously quite similar to each other. they both contains the same wording, and are merely Reversals of each other. So, why (A) over (B)?
It relates to the conclusion being proved: "Certain scientists have concluded that there is good evidence that complexity is correct." We want to find the answer that will help produce that conclusion. Let's see how it works:
Answer choice (A): This answer reads as: "If computerized models based on a theory behave like their real-world counterparts behave, then that theory is probably correct," which could be diagrammed as:
computerized models behave
theory correct
If the above is used as a premise, we can also say that we know that computerized models based on a theory behave like their real-world counterparts behave. Thus, adding those two together produces the conclusion that the theory is correct.
It's somewhat like this:
- Answer (A): X Y
Premise from argument: X
Conclusion: Y
Everything works together and the addition of that principle helps produce the conclusion.
Answer choice (B): This answer starts with, "If a scientific theory is correct," but that's the thing we are actually trying to prove, so we're in trouble right away. It's somewhat like this:
- Answer (A): Y X
Premise from argument: X
Conclusion: ?
In specific, the answer would be diagrammed as:
theory correct
computerized models behave
And since we are trying to prove the theory correct, we don't have the proved yet and can't say that the sufficient condition has occurred.
Please let me know if that helps. Thanks!
