Why is this recommended by WordPress?

Over the years, I have tried to be careful to not install programs that are not kept up to date. Yet, WordPress suggest that we install this outdated app that has not been updated for over 2 years. Many have reported errors. All just to test for the push that WP has for us to upgrade the version of PHP we are using. This doesn’t make sense!

I had tried to put a link to where WP suggest this, but strangely the forums won’t even let me put a link to their own website.