Direction: In making decisions about important questions, it is desirable to be able to distinguish between ''Strong'' arguments and ''Weak'' arguments insofar as they relate to the question. ''Strong'' arguments are those which are both important and directly related to the question. ''Weak'' arguments are those which are of minor importance and also may not be directly related to the question or may be related to a trivial aspect of the question.
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Statement:
Should Company X be allowed to merge with Company Y?
Arguments:
I. Yes, The merger of Hindustan Lever with Lipton was a success.
II. No. A merger affects the morale of the employees of the company which has to play second fiddle in the merger.
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- if only argument I is strong
- if only argument II is strong
- if either I or II is strong
- if neither I nor II is strong; and
- if both I and II are strong
Correct Option: B
I is a weak argument because such an argument based on a single example may be deceptive. It is possible that the arguer is not taking into account several other mergers which have proved to be failures. II is strong because it presents a genuine disadvantage.