In the late eighteenth century, several European physicians began employing surgical procedures that had been practiced by Islamic medical scholars...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
In the late eighteenth century, several European physicians began employing surgical procedures that had been practiced by Islamic medical scholars for centuries, yet historical records indicate that these physicians had never studied directly under Islamic practitioners. Given that it would be highly improbable for multiple European doctors to independently devise procedures identical to established Islamic techniques, this evidence most strongly suggests that _____
Which choice most logically completes the text?
Islamic surgical methods were not as widely documented as previously thought.
these physicians acquired knowledge of the techniques through European colleagues who had encountered Islamic medical practices.
European medical training during this period included direct instruction in Islamic procedures.
the surgical procedures were actually developed simultaneously in both European and Islamic medical traditions.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "In the late eighteenth century, several European physicians began employing surgical procedures that had been practiced by Islamic medical scholars for centuries" |
|
| "yet historical records indicate that these physicians had never studied directly under Islamic practitioners" |
|
| "Given that it would be highly improbable for multiple European doctors to independently devise procedures identical to established Islamic techniques" |
|
| "this evidence most strongly suggests that" |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: European physicians somehow acquired Islamic surgical knowledge without direct training, and we need to determine the most logical explanation for this knowledge transfer.
Argument Flow: The passage sets up a puzzle - European doctors are using Islamic surgical techniques but didn't study directly with Islamic practitioners. Since independent invention of identical procedures is highly unlikely, we need to find the best explanation for how this knowledge was transmitted.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? We need to complete the text with the most logical conclusion based on the evidence presented.
What type of answer do we need? An inference about how the European physicians most likely acquired the Islamic surgical knowledge.
Any limiting keywords? "most strongly suggests" indicates we need the most logical/probable explanation.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- We have European physicians using Islamic surgical techniques without direct training from Islamic practitioners
- Since independent invention is highly improbable, there must be some other pathway for knowledge transfer
- The right answer should provide a logical explanation for how this knowledge traveled from Islamic medical traditions to European physicians without direct contact through some indirect means
Islamic surgical methods were not as widely documented as previously thought.
✗ Incorrect
- Suggests Islamic methods weren't well documented
- This doesn't explain how Europeans acquired the knowledge and actually makes knowledge transfer less likely
these physicians acquired knowledge of the techniques through European colleagues who had encountered Islamic medical practices.
✓ Correct
- Suggests European colleagues encountered Islamic practices and shared the knowledge
- This creates a logical chain: Islamic practitioners to European colleagues who encountered them to the physicians in question
- Explains both how knowledge traveled and why there was no direct study
European medical training during this period included direct instruction in Islamic procedures.
✗ Incorrect
- Claims European medical training included direct instruction in Islamic procedures
- Directly contradicts the passage which states these physicians "had never studied directly under Islamic practitioners"
the surgical procedures were actually developed simultaneously in both European and Islamic medical traditions.
✗ Incorrect
- Suggests simultaneous development in both traditions
- The passage explicitly states this would be "highly improbable" for multiple doctors to independently devise identical procedures