Question
Download Solution PDFDirection: The question given below consists of a statement, followed by four arguments I, II, III and IV. You have to decide which of the arguments is a 'strong' argument and which is a 'weak' argument.
Statement: A nationwide ban on fast food advertisements targeting children is under consideration. Should this ban be implemented?
Arguments:
I). The ban undermines consumer freedom and personal responsibility in dietary choices.
II) Companies will adapt by shifting to alternative marketing channels, reducing the ban’s impact.
III) A complete ban may divert focus from more effective solutions like nutrition education.
IV) An increase in extracurricular activities may lead to cognitive overload, reducing students' focus on core coursework.
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Detailed Solution
Download Solution PDFGiven statement: A nationwide ban on fast food advertisements targeting children is under consideration. Should this ban be implemented?
Given arguments:
I) The ban undermines consumer freedom and personal responsibility in dietary choices. → Weak
This is a weak argument because children, the target audience, lack full autonomy over their choices. Studies show that children are highly susceptible to advertising, making it difficult to argue for personal responsibility in this case.
II) Companies will adapt by shifting to alternative marketing channels, reducing the ban’s impact. → Strong
This is a strong argument. History has shown that bans on advertising often lead companies to adopt alternative methods such as digital marketing, influencer partnerships, and product placement. This weakens the effectiveness of the ban, making this argument valid.
III) A complete ban may divert focus from more effective solutions like nutrition education. → Weak
While nutrition education is important, it is not an alternative to limiting exposure to fast food advertisements. The two can coexist, and a ban does not necessarily prevent education programs. This makes the argument weak.
IV) Advertising bans have historically failed to change long-term consumption habits. → Weak
This is a weak argument because evidence varies. Some advertising bans have led to reduced consumption, while others have had mixed results. The effectiveness depends on enforcement and additional policies.
Thus, only II is strong.
Hence, "Option 5" is the correct answer.