argument15

cxlbread84UID: 184012

Over 80 percent of the respondents to a recent survey indicated a desire to desire to reduce their intake of foods containing fats and cholesterol, and today low-fat products abound in many food stores. Since many of the food products currently marketed by Old Dairy Industries are high in fat and cholesterol, the company’s sales are likely to diminish greatly and their profits will no doubt decrease. We therefore advise Old Dairy stockholders to sell their shares and other investors not to purchase stock in this company.



In this argument, the arguer suggests Old Dairy stockholders sell their shares and other investors should not purchase stock in this company. At first glance, it seems plausible. But with scrutiny, the argument suffers from some flaws which undermine the reasoning.

In the first place, the arguer fails to state the details of the survey, such as the experience of the surveyors, the method used in the survey, and the like. Perhaps the surveyors lack necessary experience and knowledge to make such a survey.  What's more, the number of respondents is still unknown. It is common sense that the larger the number of people surveyed, the more precise the data are. Furthermore, whether the respondents are randomly selected is unknown, so the respondents may not be responsive of all residents, thus undermining the reasoning.

In the second place, the arguer states that the company's sales are likely to diminish greatly, however, there is no sufficient evidence presented to support this assertion. Put it simple, even assuming the accuracy of the survey, the customers of Old Dairy Industries may just like the taste of the products. On the other hand, these consumers are not the respondents surveyed, so it is entirely possible that they don't care the amount of fat and cholesterol in food. These possibilities further weaken the argument.

In the third place, even if the company's sales diminish, it does not definitely follow that their profits will no doubt decrease. As it is known to all that profit is a complex of revenue and cost. Diminishing of sales may lead to less revenue, but if the company can also reduce the cost, the profit may be the same with before, or even more, further weakening the argument.

In conclusion, this argument suffers from some fallacies. To strengthen this argument, the arguer should provide more details and evidences. Without such support, the argument fails to convince.