Statement and Argument
Direction: In making decisions about important question, it is desirable to be able to distinguish between 'strong' arguments and 'weak' arguments. 'Strong' arguments must be both important and directly related to the question. 'Weak' arguments may not be directly related to the question and may be of minor importance or may be related trivial aspects of the question. Each question below is followed by three arguments numbered I,II and III. You have to decide which of the arguments is a 'strong' argument and which is a 'weak' argument?
- Statement
Should the salary and perquisites of public sector undertaking employees be made equivalent to those in the private sector?
Arguments
I. Yes, this will help the public sector undertaking to attract and retain competent workforce.
II. No, public sector undertakings cannot afford to pay salaries to the level of private sector.
III. Yes, otherwise the public sector undertaking will not be able to compete with the private sector organization.
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Competent work force is desirable. Hence, Argument I is strong. Argument II does not appear to be true for all PSUs. And even it is true, an argument that takes recourse in helplessness seems to fall short on merit. Argument III is strong as competition is desirable.
Correct Option: D
Competent work force is desirable. Hence, Argument I is strong. Argument II does not appear to be true for all PSUs. And even it is true, an argument that takes recourse in helplessness seems to fall short on merit. Argument III is strong as competition is desirable.
- Statement
Should smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol by the actors be completely banned in the movies in India?
Arguments
I. Yes, this will significantly reduce the trend of smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol among the youth in India.
II. No, there should be no such ban on the creative pursuits of the filmmaker.
III. No, the films portray the society and hence such scenes should be an integral part of the movie, if the story line demands so.
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Argument I is strong because such a reduction in trend will be a desirable consequence. Argument II is weak as it silent as to what effect the ban will have on the creative pursuits. III is strong as a ban will take away from the power of the portrayal.
Correct Option: D
Argument I is strong because such a reduction in trend will be a desirable consequence. Argument II is weak as it silent as to what effect the ban will have on the creative pursuits. III is strong as a ban will take away from the power of the portrayal.
- Statement
Should sale of vital human organs be made legal in India?
Arguments
I. No it goes against our culture.
II. No, this will lead to unhealthy practices.
III. Yes, this will bring an end to the illegal trading of human organs.
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Argument I is weak because talking of culture is irrelevant in this case. In fact, Argument I is not even true. Argument II is weak because it is simplistic. We are not told what these 'unhealthy practices' will be. Argument III is weak because it is superfluous.
Correct Option: A
Argument I is weak because talking of culture is irrelevant in this case. In fact, Argument I is not even true. Argument II is weak because it is simplistic. We are not told what these 'unhealthy practices' will be. Argument III is weak because it is superfluous.
- Statement
Should the conscription of citizens for defense services be made compulsory in India?
Arguments
I. Yes, this is the only way to tackle the serious shortage of manpower in defense services.
II. No, instead the compensation package be made comparable to other job sectors to attract people to join defense services.
III. Yes, many other countries have made this compulsory.
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Argument I is weak because it is not true. Look at the alternative given in II. Argument II is also not strong because instead of getting into the reason. it provides an alternative Argument III is simplistic and hence weak. It is argument by example.
Correct Option: D
Argument I is weak because it is not true. Look at the alternative given in II. Argument II is also not strong because instead of getting into the reason. it provides an alternative Argument III is simplistic and hence weak. It is argument by example.
- Statement
Should the Government ban export of all types of food grains for the next one year to tide over the unpredictable drought situation in the country?
Arguments
I. Yes, there is no other way to provide food to its citizens during the year.
II. No, the Government does not have its jurisdiction over private exporters for banning export.
III. Yes, the Government should not allow the exporters to export food grains and procure all the food grains held by such exporters and make it available for home consumption.
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Argument I is weak as it is not true. Argument II is also weak on the same grounds. Argument III is strong as it elaborates on how banning exports would help tackle the drought situation.
Correct Option: D
Argument I is weak as it is not true. Argument II is also weak on the same grounds. Argument III is strong as it elaborates on how banning exports would help tackle the drought situation.
