The use of the words "any serious-minded and informed person' serves which one of the following functions in the context of the passage? A. to satirize chronologically earlier notions about the composition of water B. to reinforce a previously stated opinion about certain philosophers of science C. to suggest the author's reservations about the "traditional belief" mentioned D. to anticipate objections from someone who would argue for an objectively accurate description of the world E. to discredit someone who would argue that certain scientific assertions do not factually describe reality