Argument141【SWEETBOX小组】第八次作业 by 雅典娜的宠儿

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The following appeared in a newsletter distributed at a recent political rally.
"Over the past year, the Consolidated Copper Company (CCC) has purchased over one million square miles of land in the tropical nation of West Fredonia. Mining copper on this land will inevitably result in pollution and environmental disaster, since West Fredonia is home to several endangered animal species. But such disaster can be prevented if consumers simply refuse to purchase products that are made
with CCC's copper until the company abandons its mining plans."



In this newsletter,the author makes the conclusion that  the disaster and pollution crested by mining copper of CCC in  West Fredonia can be prevented if consumers refuse to buy the products. At a glance, it seems tenable. However, when I think the conclusion thoroughly, I find it logically flawed in several critical respects.

In the first place, the author falsely consider that mining copper will inevitably result in pollution and environmental disaster. However it is not always that case . It is entirely possible that CCC concerns much about environment itself or,to increase its popularity among residents there,it lay much emphasis on environment protection. It may use new technology and new method to explore the mine, and carefully dispose the wastes, thus little pollution is caused. It is also possible that the mine locates on an island not on continent or in mountainous area far from the place where endangered animal spices live,so the species are little affected.Without ruling out these possibilities ,the author cannot convince me on his conclusion.

Moreover,even if disaster is inevitable in that area,the author  makes the further untenable assumption that it can be prevented if consumers refuse to buy products .Pollution may have generated during the process of production, for example waste water and  exhaust gas may caues a large disaster to environment and species living there.It is also probable that besides copper products,CCC  have other businesses that will bring profits.And  these business consume lots of natural resources and pollute the environment. For example plastic industry, and   iron industry. Emitions may include ingredients that are enough to cause a disaster.

Finally,the author does not provide information that CCC will abandon its mining plans even products made with its copper are boycotted by residents there.The large amount of cooper, cheap labors, favorable policy of local government, each of the above possibilities may appeal CCC to continue its plan there. It can transport cooper  to other nations and process them there.Products may be popular among consumers in other nations, thus the lost of market in West Fredonia affects CCC, little let along making it abandon its plan.

In final analysis, this newsletter contains several critical flaws that render it unconvincing .To make his conclusion more credible, the author should find whether the mine would bring disaster to that nation, and if it is the case, by which way can the disaster can be prevented.