Argument１８７【0806G-Sunbird小组】第１次作业

javen3721UID: 2332354

TOPIC: ARGUMENT187 - The following appeared as part of an article in a health magazine.
"A new discovery warrants a drastic change in the diets of people living in the United States. Two scientists have recently suggested that omega -3 fatty acids (found in some fish and fish oils) play a key role in mental health. Our ancestors, who ate less saturated fat and more polyunsaturated fat, including omega -3 fatty acids, were much less likely to suffer from depression than we are today. Moreover, modern societies-such as those in Japan and Taiwan-that consume large quantities of fish report depression rates lower than that in the United States. Given this link between omega -3 fatty acids and depression, it is important for all people in the United States to increase their consumption of fish in order to prevent depression."
WORDS: 410          TIME: 00:45:41          DATE: 2007-11-24 16:30:47

In this argument, the arguer recommends that all people in America should increase their consumption of fish in order to prevent depression. To support his conclusion, the arguer cites the example that our ancestors and some modern societies who eat more polyunsaturated fat suffer depression with lower rate. However, a careful scrutiny will find that it's open to doubt as it stands.

The first problem is that the arguer unfairly assumes that our ancestors were much less likely to suffer from depression just because they ate more polyunsaturated fat. Yet, he could not provide any direct evidence to substantiate his claim. It's entirely likely that it's other factors rather than the diet habit that result in the lower rate of depression, such as little pressure. Since pressure, as we know, is a very important factor which could cause depression. It's a fact that modern society is much more competive than before, and the people have to consider much more aspects, such as the education of the children, promotation, and so on. Therefore larger pressure exits everywhere, which could of course induce depression.

Secondly, the arguer shows few, if any, evidence that the diet habit that the people consume large quantities of fish should be responsible for the lower rate of depression in some modern societies such as Japan and Taiwan. It's possible that they have less pressure and more exercise. It's also likely that their other habits, for instance adequate sleeping time, prevent or avoid the accidence of depression. Moreover, we could also consider the difference between the genetics, which may be the source of the depression. Even if we accept that it's the fish that decline the accidence of depression, it's also likely that it's the other components in fish rather than omega-3 fatty acids that play a key role in the process.

Finally, the arguer unwarrantedly assumes that increasing consumption of fish is the only way to prevent depression. Perhaps we should do more exercise, or attend more activities that could also relax ourselves. Further more, we could also eat some medicine that contains the omega-3 fatty acids instead of eating fish for some people do not like them at all.

In sum, the conclusion is so problematic that we could not accept it untill further information is provided. For example, the arguer should give more instances which could justify it's the omega-3 fatty acid in fish that prevent depression and that increasing consumption of fish is the best way to avoid depression.

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