Text 1: Physicist Dr. Anna Foster studies determinism. "Physical laws govern all matter, including brains," Foster explains. "In principle, complete knowledge of initial conditions predicts all future states. Human choices are determined by prior causes."
Text 2: Physicist Dr. Robert Park notes quantum indeterminacy. "Quantum mechanics shows fundamental randomness at the subatomic level," Park observes. "The universe isn't fully deterministic. Whether this helps with free will is another question—randomness isn't choice—but classical determinism oversimplifies."
What does Park's observation suggest about Foster's deterministic picture?
That physics cannot study the natural world
That quantum randomness complicates but doesn't necessarily resolve freedom
That determinism is compatible with free will
That subatomic particles don't exist
Correct Answer: B
Choice B is the correct answer. Park challenges Foster's classical determinism but notes "randomness isn't choice." The challenge complicates Foster but doesn't establish freedom—indeterminacy doesn't equal agency.
- Evidence: Park: "Whether this helps with free will is another question."
- Reasoning: Foster's determinism is wrong, but indeterminacy doesn't mean freedom.
- Conclusion: Park complicates without resolving the free will question.
Choice A is incorrect because Park does physics. Choice C is incorrect because Park doesn't address compatibility. Choice D is incorrect because Park discusses subatomic level.