Academics have long asserted that philosophy and hard science rarely _______ in a modern era of specialization. Dr. Elena Vance challenges this view: her research on the ethics of artificial intelligence demonstrates that computer science must rely heavily on philosophical concepts of morality.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
prevail
succumb
diverge
intersect
Correct Answer: D
Choice D is the best answer. The text states that academics think philosophy and science are separate. Dr. Vance "challenges this view" because her work combines them (AI and ethics). Therefore, the academics think they rarely "intersect" (meet or cross paths), but Vance proves they do.
Choice A is incorrect because "prevail" means to win. Choice B is incorrect because "succumb" means to fail or yield. Choice C is incorrect because critics think they do diverge (separate); saying they "rarely diverge" would mean they are usually the same, which contradicts the text's premise that they are separate specializations.