SAT English Practice Question

The author of the passage is a prominent philosopher who is writing a book on the nature of reality. The book is intended for a general audience, so the author tries to explain complex ideas in a clear and concise way. However, the author also wants to maintain a sense of intellectual rigor and avoid oversimplification. What is the most likely reason why the author would use the word "however" in the passage?

1. A.introduce a contrasting idea.
2. B.emphasize the importance of the author’s message.
3. C.describe the author’s feelings and experiences.
4. D.suggest that the author is addressing a large audience.