"I think I know what he means," Lingman said sadly. "Our basic assumptions are wrong. All of them."
"They can't be," Morran said. "Physics, biology—"
"Partial truths," Lingman said, with a great weariness in his voice. "At least we've determined that much. We've found out that our inferences concerning observed phenomena are wrong."
"But the rule of the simplest hypothesis—"
"It's only a theory," Lingman said.
"But life—he certainly could answer what life is?"
"Look at it this way," Lingman said. "Suppose you were to ask, 'Why was I born under the constellation Scorpio, in conjunction with Saturn?' I would be unable to answer your question in terms of the zodiac, because the zodiac has nothing to do with it."
"I see," Morran said slowly. "He can't answer questions in terms of our assumptions."
"That seems to be the case. And he can't alter our assumptions. He is limited to valid questions—which imply, it would seem, a knowledge we just don't have."
"We can't even ask a valid question?" Morran asked. "I don't believe that. We must know some basics." He turned to Answerer. "What is death?"