Question

Up until 1938, paleontologists accepted the idea that coelacanths (an ancient fish) went extinct at the time that they last appear in the fossil record, about 30 million years ago. But in 1938, live coelacanth was discovered off the coast of South Africa. What goal of science does this discovery represent?

a) Building knowledge and understanding of the natural world
b) Developing new applications and technology
c) Explaining the supernatural world
d) Seeking absolute truths

Answer 1

The discovery of the coelacanth exemplifies the scientific goal of building knowledge and understanding of the natural world, as it challenged previous assumptions and expanded our understanding of marine life and Earth's history.

Step-by-step explanation:

The discovery of a live coelacanth in 1938, long after it was believed to have gone extinct, represents the goal of science to build knowledge and understanding of the natural world. Such discoveries underscore the ever-evolving nature of scientific knowledge and remind us that what we know of Earth's history and life forms is constantly subject to revision and enhancement with new evidence. The notion that scientific understanding is provisional and capable of accommodating new findings is inherent in the scientific process.