Argument 46 提纲

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Arg 46 citizen fitness level -o

The following appeared in a health magazine published in Corpora.

Medical experts say that only one-quarter of Corpora's citizens meet the current standards for adequate physical fitness, even though twenty years ago, one-half of all of Corpora's citizens met the standards as then defined. But these experts are mistaken when they suggest that spending too much time using computers has caused a decline in fitness. Since overall fitness levels are highest in regions of Corpora where levels of computer ownership are also highest, it is clear that using computers has not made citizens less physically fit. Instead, as shown by this year's unusually low expenditures on fitness-related products and services, the recent decline in the economy is most likely the cause, and fitness levels will improve when the economy does.

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.



G1: Medical experts say that only one-quarter of Corpora's citizens meet the current standards for adequate physical fitness, even though twenty years ago, one-half of all of Corpora's citizens met the standards as then defined.

C1: But these experts are mistaken when they suggest that spending too much time using computers has caused a decline in fitness.

G2: Since overall fitness levels are highest in regions of Corpora where levels of computer ownership are also highest, it is clear that using computers has not made citizens less physically fit.

G3: Instead, as shown by this year's unusually low expenditures on fitness-related products and services,

C2: the recent decline in the economy is most likely the cause, and fitness levels will improve when the economy does.


A1 (G1): The percentages of physically fit citizens are comparable.

A2 (G2, C1): Levels of computer ownership are reliable indicator of amount of computer usage.

A3 (G3, C2): Low expenditures on fitness-related products and services imply that the fitness levels would be low.

A4 (G3, C2): The performance of the economy would directly influence the expenditure on the fitness-related products and services and the fitness levels.


comparison over time


assumption 1: the decreasing percentage of physically fit citizens is not related to the changing standards or the ageing of the population

- perhaps the standards have become higher resulting in fewer people identified as fit

- perhaps people become less physically fit simply because of ageing


assumption 2: levels of ownership of computers accurately reflect the time spent on computers

- maybe people spend more time using computers at work

- maybe people who own computers can better afford time and money for exercises and medical care (ownership of computers indicate socioeconomic classes rather than time spent on computers)


assumption 3: the low expenditures of fitness-related products are results of declining economy and the use of such products is necessary for keeping fit

- the low expenditure may be a result of high expenditure in the previous years (the products are durable goods)



Argument范文与提纲目录(tesolchina)
https://bbs.gter.net/thread-2030117-1-1.html