Q4 - Bart: A mathematical problem that

[agersh144]

I understand why C is correct but can someone please explain why B is not also a viable point of disagreement?

It seems to me that Bart would say Yes it does need to be replicated before it can be accepted whereas Anne would say NO it doesn't need to be replicated I won't accept it no matter what because it can't be understood. Someone please enlighten me...

[ohthatpatrick]

I think you mixed up the names for who would potentially say what with (B).

Anne would probably agree with (B), although technically the wording of (B) doesn't necessarily address whether the "result" we're talking about is one for which humans DO or DON'T fully comprehend the process of deriving it.

To really hone in on the issue, (B) needs to clarify that we're talking about "if a supercomputer has a result and humans don't fully comprehend the process by which it derived that result, does the result need to be verified by another ...."

And, technically, Anne wasn't saying that is NEEDED to be verified by another. She said that IF it was verified by another, the result would be deemed acceptable. So there is also some necessary vs. sufficient distortion of language here.

But let's just say I accept that Anne is a "Yes" to (B).

The bigger problem is giving Bart an answer to (B) when Bart NEVER discussed or alluded to the possibility of another computer verifying the result.

I think the two sides of (B) are
YES, it needs another computer before it can be accepted
and
NO, it can be accepted from just the original supercomputer.

You're making the "NO" out to be
NO, because I think this is a moot point to begin with.

I don't think we're allowed to substitute a dismissive answer as a "NO" answer, if that makes sense.

But if none of this floats your boat, I will leave you with this ...
say that a supercomputer calculates 2+3. Out comes the result .... wait for it ... 5!

Would either of them insist on getting another supercomputer to replicate that result?

Probably not. So it's hard to pin (B) on either of them because of how extreme it's written and how it doesn't limit itself to results that humans don't fully comprehend.

Hope this helps.

[agersh144]

Superb response, much appreciated