Question

Read the following conversation:
OINOS: I can comprehend you thus far—that certain operations of what we term Nature, or the natural laws, will, under certain conditions, give rise to that which has all the appearance of creation. Shortly before the final overthrow of the earth, there were, I well remember, many very successful experiments in what some philosophers were weak enough to denominate the creation of animalculae.
AGATHOS: The cases of which you speak were, in fact, instances of the secondary creation—and of the only species of creation which has ever been, since the first word spoke into existence the first law.
Which of the following options CANNOT be DEFINITELY inferred based on the above conversation?

• A. Agathos was explaining something related to creation to Oinos.
• B. At the time of conversation there was nothing called Earth.
• C. The creation of animalculae is a natural law.
• D. Natural laws are creations of philosophers.
• E. Law is a spoken word.

Hint:

In inference questions, remember that “cannot be definitely inferred” means even if something seems plausible, unless it is \textbf{explicitly supported} by the passage, it is incorrect. Do not confuse speculation with inference.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Identify what Oinos says.
Oinos refers to “natural laws” which can, under conditions, give rise to creation-like phenomena. He mentions philosophers labeling the emergence of animalculae as “creation.” This links natural law with actual events.
Step 2: Identify what Agathos says.
Agathos clarifies that these are “secondary creation,” and the only creation since the first “spoken word” created the first law. This implies laws originated with creation, not with philosophers.
Step 3: Test each option.
(A) True — Agathos is clearly explaining creation to Oinos.
(B) True — Oinos mentions “before the final overthrow of the earth,” implying Earth no longer exists at that moment.
(C) True — Oinos connects the creation of animalculae with natural law.
(D) False — The passage never says natural laws were “creations of philosophers.” Philosophers may have misinterpreted, but they did not create natural laws. This cannot be inferred.
(E) True — Agathos says the first word spoke the first law into existence, linking law to spoken word.
Step 4: Conclude.
The only statement that cannot be definitely inferred is (D).
\[ \boxed{\text{Correct Answer: (D) Natural laws are creations of philosophers.}} \]