Argument 92/101/103 Arg 92 relaxed pace causes fewer sick days -o
92) Workers in the small town of Leeville take fewer sick days than workers in the large city of Masonton, 50 miles away. Moreover, relative to population size, the diagnosis of stress-related illness is proportionally much lower in Leeville than in Masonton. According to the Leeville Chamber of Commerce, these facts can be attributed to the health benefits of the relatively relaxed pace of life in Leeville.
Write a response in which you discuss one or more alternative explanations that could rival the proposed explanation and explain how your explanation(s) can plausibly account for the facts presented in the argument.
101) There is now evidence that the relaxed pace of life in small towns promotes better health and greater longevity than does the hectic pace of life in big cities. Businesses in the small town of Leeville report fewer days of sick leave taken by individual workers than do businesses in the nearby large city of Masonton. Furthermore, Leeville has only one physician for its one thousand residents, but in Masonton the proportion of physicians to residents is five times as high. Finally, the average age of Leeville residents is significantly higher than that of Masonton residents. These findings suggest that people seeking longer and healthier lives should consider moving to small communities.
Write a response in which you examine the stated and/or unstated assumptions of the argument. Be sure to explain how the argument depends on these assumptions and what the implications are for the argument if the assumptions prove unwarranted.
103) There is now evidence that the relaxed pace of life in small towns promotes better health and greater longevity than does the hectic pace of life in big cities. Businesses in the small town of Leeville report fewer days of sick leave taken by individual workers than do businesses in the nearby large city of Masonton. Furthermore, Leeville has only one physician for its one thousand residents, but in Masonton the proportion of physicians to residents is five times as high. Finally, the average age of Leeville residents is significantly higher than that of Masonton residents. These findings suggest that the relaxed pace of life in Leeville allows residents to live longer, healthier lives.
Write a response in which you discuss one or more alternative explanations that could rival the proposed explanation and explain how your explanation(s) can plausibly account for the facts presented in the argument.
G1: Workers in the small town of Leeville take fewer sick days than workers in the large city of Masonton, 50 miles away.
G2: Moreover, relative to population size, the diagnosis of stress-related illness is proportionally much lower in Leeville than in Masonton.
C1: According to the Leeville Chamber of Commerce, these facts can be attributed to the health benefits of the relatively relaxed pace of life in Leeville.
A1 (G1, C1): Other factors such as the environment and pollution did not affect the number of sick days.
A2 (G1, C1): Other factors such as the demographics and company culture did not affect the number of sick days.
A3 (G2, C1): The availability of health care resources and awareness of mental health did not affect the diagnosis rates.
explanation related to the environment
- maybe the air quality is much worse in the city which contributes to more conditions in respiratory systems
- perhaps the noise pollution is the main cause of stress-related illnesses
explanation related to the company rules and culture
- maybe the companies in the small town are more lenient about absences (no need to take sick days)
- perhaps workers in the city take more fake sick days
explanation related to health care system
- workers in the city have better access to health care (more are diagnosed with the illness)
- workers in the city have better awareness of mental health (get help and get diagnosed)