Issue 130

TOPIC: ISSUE130 - "How children are socialized today determines the destiny of society. Unfortunately, we have not yet learned how to raise children who can help bring about a better society."

WORDS: 524 TIME: 00:46:44 DATE: 2008-3-27 14:42:24

This statement consists of two claims. The first assertion is that society's destiny relies on how children are socialized, and the second one is that the masses have not yet acquired how to bring up younger generation who can better society. However, in my view neither the former claim nor the latter truly reflects the practical circumstance. Moreover, in effect, both of the speaker's claims fly in the face of empirical evidence.

In the first place, when it comes to whether a child's thought has to do with socialization, I concede that enough opportunities for positive socialization conducted by respectful adults or healthy society indeed influence that child to some extend. As we all know, schools and colleges are the most common places where our next generation receives education. It is in classes that children learn how to negotiate, collaborate and learn the honor way of expressing their own ideas. Moreover, their teachers and docents show them destructive results of violence and other negative social behavior. Therefore, this social knowledge can help children grow up to be good civilian and prominent political officers, as well as wisdom.

However, socialization is just one factor that affects children's thread of growing up. There are a variety of other determinants that may have profound impact on a child. Socialization is far more from the most paramount. History is replete with examples of distinguished scientists and political leaders who were chiefly influenced by other factors, such as religious conviction, parental effect, and a seminal childhood thing. Consider, for instance, Albert Einstein's scientific contributions to the whole human beings were primarily the outcomes of the determination of his inner courage. Or, consider Beethoven's great contribution in the realm of music, which had more to do with parental influence during his childhood.

In the second place, the speaker's second claim that we have not yet learned how to raise children who can better our society is poorly supported by empirical evidence. Any one would agree that a "better" society should be characterized by greater tolerance for distinct ideologies, greater concern for natural environment, and broader communication in culture and education. Thus, the children born in the 1960s are now indeed making society better. For instance, our society is more sensitive to public health, women's rights, differing racial peoples, and disabilities. Moreover, there is even more examples of increasing international cooperation across many states. China and Japan have cooperated ardently in chip research and celestial exploration; multi-national efforts can be easily found out in Afghanistan, Kosovo, etc. Besides, Europe and America have researched innumerous health problems through communal projects. In short, the speaker's second claim does not reflect the truth that is taking place in daily life.

In summary, the pivotal factors that influence a child's upbringing should not be limited merely to socialization but rather to some other factors--such as parental impact, a peculiar event happened in childhood and private ideology. Albeit distinct people may have differing ideas about what consist of a "better" society, I find our society is evolving towards a more tolerant, esteemed, and developed one. Therefore, I tend to disagree with both counts of the statement.

Argument 35

TOPIC: ARGUMENT35 - The following appeared in the summary of a study on headaches suffered by the residents of Mentia.
"Salicylates are members of the same chemical family as aspirin, a medicine used to treat headaches. Although many foods are naturally rich in salicylates, for the past several decades food-processing companies have also been adding salicylates to foods as preservatives. This rise in the commercial use of salicylates has been found to correlate with a steady decline in the average number of headaches reported by participants in our twenty-year study. Recently, food-processing companies have found that salicylates can also be used as flavor additives for foods. With this new use for salicylates, we can expect a continued steady decline in the number of headaches suffered by the average citizen of Mentia."

WORDS: 408 TIME: 00:32:20 DATE: 2008-3-27 20:26:17

The speaker arrives at the conclusion that the number of headaches suffered by the residents of Mentia will surely steadily decrease. To support this conclusion, the arguer lists two reasons in this statement. First, a twenty-year research has discovered that participants reported less headaches when these responders eat food which contains plenty of salicylates. The second reason has to do with a new discovery that salicylates can also be used as additives. However, close scrutiny of evidence unveils that this statement actually suffers from a few critical fallacies that will undermine the credibility of the speaker's ultimateness.

Consider the first reason that the arguer advocates. According to what the speaker says, food-processing enterprises have been adopting salicylates as preservatives for the past several decades; however, the study just began twenty years ago. Thus, the credibility of the study is quite questionable. Whether people in Mentia suffered from severe headaches before the study is not mentioned at all. Perhaps at that time people did not have any head problems. Moreover, the speaker does not provide information about the local medical conditions either. Two decades are quite a long time that standard of living and medicine research have no doubt ameliorated considerably. It is highly possible that higher quantity of living and better method of healing headache contribute conspicuously to the decline of the average number of headaches. In addition, it is equally probable that the twenty-year study does not involve enough participants; thus its verdict is lame. In short, there are several other factors that will weaken the verdict of this statement.

The second reason that the speaker reckons as cogent is, in effect, even more unpersuasive reason than the first one. Albeit salicylates have been found that they can be also used as additives for food, no evidence shows food-processing corporations will use more salicylates in tacking food. Besides, whether excessive salicylates will conduce towards unforeseeable harmful disease that would make patients' headaches even worse is unknown. The arguer fails to demonstrate this possible case has been refuted by medical scientists.

In summary, the statement indeed suffers from several vital flaws as discussed above. To solidify the conclusion, the speaker would have to provide more detailed information about the livings of Mentia, and further manifest that too many salicylates will not contribute to any other side effect. Without considering and ruling out these possible factors, it is too hasty for the arguer to arrive at the conclusion.

Issue 225

TOPIC: ISSUE225 - "People often look for similarities, even between very different things, and even when it is unhelpful or harmful to do so. Instead, a thing should be considered on its own terms; we should avoid the tendency to compare it to something else."

WORDS: 531 TIME: 00:41:27 DATE: 2008-3-26 13:54:01

Whether people should consider one special thing separately or connect this thing with other matter related to this thing, depends primarily on what realm the problem belongs to. In some areas, especially physical sciences, we can benefit from observing natural things from various perspectives. In some other areas, particularly sociopolitical life, it is harmful to connect everything that one might encounter. In still other areas, such as business, whether we should consider questions along with any question else varies from case to case.

To begin with, in the sciences we have to think as many related problems as we can, or we may arrive at a imprecise, even false, conclusion. As we know, all the matter in the universe is related together to some extend. It is impossible to separate the whole object that scientists investigate into several differing and isolated components. For instance, Albert Einstein, a prominent theoretical scientist, worked out the theory of relativity on the foundation of classical theory brought up by Newton. Watson and Crick, the discoverer of DNA, contributed their Noble Prize to achievements made by former chemists. Therefore, people can stand to gain in a variety of thing when they connect objects they study with other things that have already proven to be true.

However, in the realm of social and political issues, it is often harmful to consider several things together. The more we consider, the worse circumstance we may bog down in. For instance, a chancellor in a high school located in my town was sentenced to prison in respect that he misused school fund to build his private house. People in our town ardently discussed every development in the scandal. Besides, the principals of all the other schools in my town were assumed to have abused their rights granted by the masses, and these principals were put in doubt though they were demonstrated to be good citizens and effective leaders. Therefore, neither did the leaders benefit from this scandal, nor the masses actually gained much from their extensive considerations. In effect, we indeed should not connect everything together in societal life.

In the area of business, in some cases we should avoid to compare an activity to another, while in some other cases comparing a thing with similar ones can result in better understanding of business. Consider on the one hand the Apple computer company has manufactured a new product, called Mac Book Air, for the multitudes recently, while at the same time Lenovo also brings their best computer, called ThinkPad X300. Albeit Apple and Lenovo are adversaries in computer market, comparison between these two kinds of computers does not benefit us. In effect, Apple's computer is better suitable for drawing, while Lenovo's commodity is good at numeration. Therefore, comparison between them makes no sense. On the other hand, consider the operating system of Windows and Linux. Both of them have learned much, such as convenience, designing thought, and interfaces with humans, from each other. We ordinary people indeed benefit from this kind of comparing relationship.

In summary, the arguer overlooks many cases in which comparison benefits us. Nevertheless, in social and political activities, we should not connect a thing with another.

Argument 242

TOPIC: ARGUMENT242 - The following appeared as an editorial in the student newspaper of Groveton College.
"To combat the recently reported dramatic rise in cheating among college and university students, these institutions should adopt honor codes similar to Groveton's, which calls for students to agree not to cheat in their academic endeavors and to notify a faculty member if they suspect that others have cheated. Groveton's honor code replaced an old-fashioned system in which students were closely monitored by teachers and an average of thirty cases of cheating per year were reported. The honor code has proven far more successful: in the first year it was in place, students reported twenty-one cases of cheating; five years later, this figure had dropped to fourteen. Moreover, in a recent survey conducted by the Groveton honor council, a majority of students said that they would be less likely to cheat with an honor code in place than without."

WORDS: 381 TIME: 00:30:44 DATE: 2008-3-26 21:49:35

The conclusion of this statement is that the honor codes should be adopted extensively by colleges and universities, who reported considerable rise in cheating. To support this conclusion, the speaker argues that Groveton has seen several positive outcomes since Groveton adopted the plan of honor codes. Besides, the arguer also quotes a recent study lea by the Groveton honor council and this study supports the arguer's conclusion. However, close scrutiny of evidence unveils that this statement actually suffers from a few critical fallacies that would undermine the statement.

Firstly, according to the detailed content of the honor codes policy of Groveton, no teacher will monitor students when students are having examinations. Perhaps these students have formed a private "policy": everyone cheats and no one is allowed to notify a faculty member. Thus, the morale of Groveton has become even worse. Besides, the comparison of number of students who cheated between the beginning of honor codes policy and five years later is quite questionable. It is highly possible that a lot of students who cheated in exams were not unmasked because other students concentrated on their own test paper and did not care about whether other students were cheating. In short, any case mentioned above would weaken the conclusion.

Secondly, the survey conducted by the Groveton honor council seems a powerful reason for adopting the policy advocated by the arguer. Nevertheless, the arguer fails to consider certain other factors that contribute to the result; therefore the conclusion of the survey may have alternative explanations. For instance, the survey does not tell us how many participants were covered in it. Perhaps only a few students less than 100 were asked to respond questions. Moreover, the credibility of responses given by students who were conducted is doubtful. Without sufficient evidence that these students had told the true thought in their inner mind, no one would take the results of the survey seriously.

In summary, the statement indeed has a few flaws as discussed above. To solidify the conclusion, the speaker would have to prove that students of Groveton actually conform to the honor codes and report every cheating in academia, and further demonstrate that all the participants in the survey conducted by the Groveton honor council had told the truth and had not lied.

Issue 170

TOPIC: ISSUE170 - "The surest indicator of a great nation is not the achievements of its rulers, artists, or scientists, but the general welfare of all its people."

WORDS: 392 TIME: 00:50:00 DATE: 2008-3-25 14:53:44

The speaker argues that the manifestation of a great nation is the pervasive felicity of its ordinary folks, instead of prominent achievements made by their elites. However, in my comprehension great advances in politics, arts and sciences actually represent the greatness of a country; on the other hand, the general welfare of the multitudes is one of the positive outcomes aroused by the attainments made by the leaders in every realm. Therefore, I tend to disagree with the statement.

To begin with, when it comes to judge whether a country or a nation is among the first-class ones of the whole world, we may usually refer to certain parameters such as times of seizing a Nobel award, profound policies carried out by the sociopolitical leaders, and distinguished artists. Consider, for instance, the comprehensive recognition of America as a great nation by many people who are not Americans. Friends of mine frequently discussed with me, and they believe that it is the great accomplishments achieved by scientists, such as Albert Einstein, Edison, Wright brothers, and Hubble, that represent the scientific and technological research ability of America. Without the profound influence these achievements have on the American economy and on the modern world, we may not consider America as a vanguard of the world.

In the realm of the arts, a great nation is also characterized by its artistic greatness. In experience as a student, music teachers prefer to enhance our appreciation and understanding of music through explaining peculiar musicians when we discuss the subject of music history, instead of how well the masses could chant. For instance, Mozart's great and prolific composers are reckoned as an indicator of Austria. Tourists who have visited German would admit that symphonies, piano concertos and violin concertos composed by Beethoven have deeply affect their minds, and believe German is a nation that is famous for its illustrious music. In short, the great accomplishments composed by artists are indeed a symbol of a great state.

In summary, the indicator of a great nation is the very achievements attained by distinguished societal leaders, illustrious scientists and prominent artists. On the other hand, however, albeit the pervasive felicity of its masses is one of the benefits of individuals' great achievements, the general welfare of members of society is not powerful enough to be a symbol of a great nation.

Argument 1

TOPIC: ARGUMENT1 - The following appeared in a memorandum written by the vice president of Nature's Way, a chain of stores selling health food and other health-related products.
"Previous experience has shown that our stores are most profitable in areas where residents are highly concerned with leading healthy lives. We should therefore build our next new store in Plainsville, which has many such residents. Plainsville merchants report that sales of running shoes and exercise clothing are at all-time highs. The local health club, which nearly closed five years ago due to lack of business, has more members than ever, and the weight training and aerobics classes are always full. We can even anticipate a new generation of customers: Plainsville's schoolchildren are required to participate in a 'fitness for life' program, which emphasizes the benefits of regular exercise at an early age."
WORDS: 405 TIME: 00:29:09 DATE: 2008-3-25 20:37:22

The vice president of Nature's Way concludes that they should promptly open a new store in Plainsville. To support this conclusion, the speaker chiefly presents three reasons. First, consumers in Plainville will surely merchandise in the store of Nature's Way in light of previous experience. Secondly, the local health club is extremely welcomed among folks in Plainville. Thirdly, a fitness program that requires schoolchildren to take part in will guarantee a new generation of clientele. However, close scrutiny of evidence unveils that this statement actually suffers from a few critical fallacies which would undermine the conclusion.

First, the speaker generalizes the previous experience too cursory. Albeit residents are concerned with their healthy, the speaker's stores can gain much unless the residents want to purchase the commodities supported by the speaker's store. It is highly possible that the multitudes in Plainsville are not interested in spending money on health food or other health-related products. All they want perhaps is just running for a while during morning time. Or people there have already owned a myriad of products that are similar to what Nature's Way sells. Therefore, the conclusion would be weakened, unless the speaker provides more detailed information about residents in Plainsville.

Secondly, the fact that the local club are filled with people who are concerned about health may ironically demonstrate that what multitudes in Plainsville really need is coach, instead of specific sports products or health food. Another factor that may attract local residents is that they enjoy the communication among groups of people.

Thirdly, the program worked out in Plainsville does not mean that schoolchildren will of course go to stores to buy any kind of sports equipment or clothe. The program says: schoolchildren should participate in regular exercise at an early age. Therefore, we can predict that all schools located in Plainsville will offer more PE classes to students, instead of encouraging them to spend money on health-related products. Therefore, students who study in schools of Plainsville would not likely be the potential customers as the speaker assumes. The conclusion thus would be weakened.

In summary, this statement indeed suffers from a few vital flaws as discussed above. To solidify the conclusion, the speaker would have to provide more information about the purchasing habit of residents in Plainsville, and further demonstrate that his or her store will surely overshoot local rivals. Finally, the speaker has to proven schoolchildren are potential clientele in future.

Issue 114

TOPIC: ISSUE114 - "Humanity has made little real progress over the past century or so. Technological innovations have taken place, but the overall condition of humanity is no better. War, violence, and poverty are still with us. Technology cannot change the condition of humanity."
WORDS: 506 TIME: 00:42:41 DATE: 2008-3-24 14:39:57

The speaker asserts that humanity has not progressed during the most recent century, and claims that technological innovations contribute little to the development of humanity. However, I tend to disagree with both counts of the statement. Last century is replete with archetypes that can demonstrate considerable amelioration of human beings. Technological improvements have also indeed change the condition of humanity since the beginning of last century.

To begin with, if we define progress of humanity as one characterized by greater tolerance for distinctive viewpoints, greater respect for individual rights, and more extensive cooperation across multi-cultures, humanity indeed has made prominent attainments during the most recent century. Consider, for example, any one today can freely express his or her social or political perspective, which was hard to imagine in the 1900s. Or consider the fact that people in contemporary are much more tolerant and rational to the phenomenon of homosexuals that were extremely prejudiced by the majority of folks. Moreover, differing cultures in distinct countries of the world are much more easily accepted and appreciated by the masses now, albeit the case in the early of last century was worse. In short, humanity indeed has achieved enormous progress over the most recent century or so.

Consider next the arguer's second claim that technology innovations or ameliorations have not conspicuously influenced social customs, ethics or any other aspect of our daily life. In my observation, this perspective is poorly supported by empirical evidence. In effect, advances of technologies have gradually changed the way in which the multitudes live. For instance, any one would accede to the fact that the invention of cell phone available during the 1940s to 1950s has fabulously altered the method in which humans communicate. People seldom utilize correspondences and gain much from instant message software invented in computer technology. Another paradigmatic example will appear if we consider the great improvements in medicine. People today are much more relax when they have to confront the dental problems than they once were in last century.

The speaker might point out that war, violence and poverty are still pervasive and many folks are suffering from these cataclysms as they were in last century. However, the speaker fails to consider the positive efforts that are masked by these ostensible phenomena. For instance, crisis in Afghanistan has aroused extensive attention coming from all over the world, and multi-nations have sent their soldiers to keep peace in that district. People there are enjoying a peace and more comfortable life than they were before the crisis. Moreover, the most recent century has seen increasing sensitivity in our society towards public security by policing crimes. Farmers who once resided in poor areas are the very beneficiaries of policies carried out by government. Albeit poverty stills exists in certain districts of the world, people are indeed becoming wealthier and blithe.

In summary, empirical evidence strongly confute what the speaker advocates. Since the most recent century, humans have fulfilled innumerous achievements and have benefited much from innovations of technology and science. Therefore, in the final analysis, I fundamentally disagree with the statement.