【辉太郎杀G大队】7/10作业by MC dragonfly(Issue31;Argument162)

lmcdragonflyUID: 2601914

TOPIC: ARGUMENT162 - A recent study shows that people living on the continent of North America suffer 9 times more chronic fatigue and 31 times more chronic depression than do people living on the continent of Asia. Interestingly, Asians, on average, eat 20 grams of soy per day, whereas North Americans eat virtually none. It turns out that soy contains phytochemicals called isoflavones, which have been found to possess disease-preventing properties. Thus, North Americans should consider eating soy on a regular basis as a way of preventing fatigue and depression.

In the argument, the author concludes that North Americans should eat soy to prevent fatigue and depression. Plausible as it may seem, thorough examining reveals that the line of reasoning is weaken by several unwarranted assumptions and critical flaws as discussed below.

First of all, the author fails to assure that the study which the argument rest on is authoritative. Considering the hardness the study involves, it will be essential to know what organization conducts it. To accomplish the study effectively, it involves fantastic energy and financial supports. Moreover, the methodology concerning are also worthy of attention. How many samples do they investigate, how can they make the comparison between the two groups of patients? Without the information, we are suspicious about the results of the study. Then the basis of the argument is weakened.

Secondly, even if the validity of study are authorized, the argument depends on an unproven cause-and-effect relationship between Asians' eating soy per day and a lower percentage of people suffering chronic fatigue and depression. The low incidence of chronic fatigue and depression might have nothing to do with the soy-eating habits of Asia. Consuming soy is merely one of the many characteristic eating-habits of Asians. The author provides no evidence that it is the soy-eating habit make the thing different rather than other habits like rice-eating and the causal relationship the argument relies on is dubious.

Furthermore, the possibility cannot be ruled out that there may be other causes, even the main cause to be blamed for the higher proportion of Americans suffering chronic fatigue and depression. For instance, it is entirely possible that the Asians endure a lighter pressure, for there is lower proportion of population living in the city that mainly constitute the victims of the chronic depression. For that matter, more Asians are living in spiritual comfort condition which leads to the situation. Unfortunately, the author fails to confirm the soy-eating habit uniquely result in the difference, which makes the conclusion unreliable.

Finally, the argument is based on the unwarranted assumption that the disease-preventing properties are effective to reduce the possibility of catching chronic fatigue and depression. There is no evidence provided that the so-called disease-preventing properties have anything to do with the chronic fatigue and depression. Without these vital information, how can we believe the soy contributes to the lower incidence of such diseases?

In summary, this argument is by no means cogent for its logical deficiency. If the author can give more information to make the study more convincing; found the clear causal relationship between the soy-eating habits and lower incidence of chronic
fatigue and depression and make up other logical shortcomings mentioned above, this conclusion will certainly more convincing.


TOPIC: ISSUE31 - "Money spent on research is almost always a good investment, even when the results of that research are controversial."

While most people admit the importance of researches, it is always a controversial issue that whether we should invest on the researches the results of which are also controversial. The speaker hold a positive view and I found myself on the same philosophical side except for some problems to discuss below.

None of us can deny the vital role played by the science and research in modern society. The modern life we live and almost every thing we are consuming are based on the development of technology. To some extent, money on research is a good investment, even if there be contention.

Firstly, it remains question that the controversy is reasonable before we support and carry on the research. As a matter of fact, the perspective or value of the research is often difficult to describe, especially in basic research. After all, research is the chief means by which we humans attempt to satisfy our insatiable appetite for knowledge. Some knowledge sometimes sounds too abstract for any concrete using. But in long terms, these knowledge will finally turn out to be huge progress in application. For example, when the mathematicians, like Euler, were striving for the truth of the number theory, they themselves wouldn't imagine how meaningful the abstract theory to the information security today. We have no access to the knowledge we need to conclude the perspective of the research. Hence, it is too hasty for us to evaluate the research, which can avoid a lot of unnecessary debating on the results.


Moreover, most contention of the results of the research concern about the way we applied the science in, not the results themselves. For instance, we all blame the nuclear weapons for the mass destruction they may cause, but the nuclear power is used to generate electricity all around the world. The nuclear theory itself is undoubtedly the high light of human intelligence. What really raise the debates is that we use them for weapons of mass destruction. Most technology can be applied to the fields unexpectedly, which leads to the controversy, but we can’t blame the research that proceed our civilizations for possible problems it may cause.

However, considering the mega resources maybe involved, it is responsible for the investors to be circumspect about the priority level of the research whose objectives are vague and whose potential benefits are speculative. The money spent on the research item might have been invested on the social problems which may process immediate influence. Some existing social problems are too serious to neglect, which don't need thorough research. If they are not resolved in time, the future consequence will be dire. For example, the poverty, inadequate attentions paid to which, will lead to social unrest. Hence, some research may be delayed in order to balance the present interests and possible long-term benefits

As discussed above, Controversial as they are, it is wise to spend necessary money on the research.. The research will certainly impel the human civilization from the long-term view so that money spend on them will finally be found a good investment. If we could seek a balance point between the prospects and presents, we will certainly get a better world.

AliciaSunUID: 2660743

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我试试附件。。。。

lmcdragonflyUID: 2601914

2# AliciaSun
下载下来解压都是XML文档。。呵呵