Government spending in support of pure research is often treated as somehow wasteful, as though only immediate technological application can justify and scientific endeavour. Yet, unless the well of basic knowledge is continually replenished through pure research, the flow of beneficial technology will soon dry up. Today’s pure research may appear to be little use; but no one can tell what good it may some day yield. One might just as well ask: “Of what use is a newborn baby?”
The argument above depends on which of the following assumption?
1 There is a time lag between the discovery of a new phenomenon and the discovery of a practical application for it.
2. Pure research is more costly and time-consuming than the attempt to develop new technologies.
3. Most pure research will eventually benefit future generations but will not be of advantage to people currently alive
Government spending in support of pure research is often treated as somehow wasteful, as though only immediate technological application can justify and scientific endeavour. Yet, unless the well of basic knowledge is continually replenished through pure research, the flow of beneficial technology will soon dry up. Today’s pure research may appear to be little use; but no one can tell what good it may some day yield. One might just as well ask: “Of what use is a newborn baby?”
The argument above depends on which of the following assumption?
1 There is a time lag between the discovery of a new phenomenon and the discovery of a practical application for it.
2. Pure research is more costly and time-consuming than the attempt to develop new technologies.
3. Most pure research will eventually benefit future generations but will not be of advantage to people currently alive
The correct option is A Only 1
Test each statement. 1 is an assumption of the argument. If there were no such time lag, then the distinction between research and application would be nonexistent. It is the lag that creates the distinction. Statement 2, however, is not an assumption of the argument. The author assumes only that pure research seems “pure” because its application are not immediately obvious, but he is not necessarily committed to the idea that it is more expensive than any other kind of research. Finally, 3 is not an assumption of the speaker. Although the time lag creates the distinction between the types of research, the author doesn’t say how long the time period that separates the types, is
Test each statement. 1 is an assumption of the argument. If there were no such time lag, then the distinction between research and application would be nonexistent. It is the lag that creates the distinction. Statement 2, however, is not an assumption of the argument. The author assumes only that pure research seems “pure” because its application are not immediately obvious, but he is not necessarily committed to the idea that it is more expensive than any other kind of research. Finally, 3 is not an assumption of the speaker. Although the time lag creates the distinction between the types of research, the author doesn’t say how long the time period that separates the types, is
