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09 Oct 2018, 19:17
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Essay Question:
The following appeared in an article in a consumer-electronics magazine:
"Company X's latest model of digital camera to be released next month, the TR12, is being promoted as the most portable, user-friendly digital camera available, and also an excellent bargain. It can be expected to live up to these claims, because Company X's previous model, the TR11, was universally lauded as setting the standard in these areas last year."
Discuss how well reasoned you find this argument. Point out flaws in the argument's logic and analyze the argument's underlying assumptions. In addition, evaluate how supporting evidence is used and what evidence might counter the argument's conclusion. You may also discuss what additional evidence could be used to strengthen the argument or what changes would make the argument more logically sound.
My Response:
The author argues that the TR12 will perform to the standard laid out by Company X's promotions because TR11, it's previous model, had done so the previous year. However, this argument draws support from evidence that not be true or might no longer be relevant. The flaws in the author's assumptions lie in the fact that just because TR12 is the newest model, by default, it will outperform the company's previous model, the TR11, that last year's standard in the areas mentioned will be the same, and the price associated with the TR12 can be justified as an "excellent bargin".
The author argues that since Company X made the best in class camera last year with the TR11, the TR12 will follow suit. However, this require the assumption that the TR12 will actually be a better product in the areas mentioned than the TR11. All the claims will be false if the TR12 is not shown superior to the TR11; therefore, Company X needs to show that the TR12 is a improvement over TR11.
Even if we assume that the TR12 turns out to be a superior product to the TR11, given the speed with which technology and consumer preference advances, we cannot concretely conclude that the same standard set last year will be the same this year. For instance, if last year's standard for being the most portable means being able to fit the camera in one's jean pocket, the technology could have advanced so much that the new definition of portable means being able to attach to one's glasses. In such a case, the success of the TR11 cannot be translated to indicate the success of the TR12.
Lastly, if TR12 does prove to be better than the TR11 and includes innovations that make the TR12 the best in class for the current standard in terms of portability and user-friendliness, we cannot conclude that it would be a bargain. Supposed the TR12 is an upgrade to the TR11, it would presumably be more expensive. It's not a foregone conclusion that the additional innovations justifies the TR12's price increases that the consumers see the new model as a bargin. In fact, some might still think for the functionality and price, the TR11 is still the best model. Even more likely, copycat brands were able to produce the same functionality with lower prices over the previous year; therefore making neither the TR11 or the TR12 the most economical option for its functionalities.
For the above reasons, the author cannot simply assume that the success of the TR11 is a good indication of the success of the TR12.
The following appeared in an article in a consumer-electronics magazine:
"Company X's latest model of digital camera to be released next month, the TR12, is being promoted as the most portable, user-friendly digital camera available, and also an excellent bargain. It can be expected to live up to these claims, because Company X's previous model, the TR11, was universally lauded as setting the standard in these areas last year."
Discuss how well reasoned you find this argument. Point out flaws in the argument's logic and analyze the argument's underlying assumptions. In addition, evaluate how supporting evidence is used and what evidence might counter the argument's conclusion. You may also discuss what additional evidence could be used to strengthen the argument or what changes would make the argument more logically sound.
My Response:
The author argues that the TR12 will perform to the standard laid out by Company X's promotions because TR11, it's previous model, had done so the previous year. However, this argument draws support from evidence that not be true or might no longer be relevant. The flaws in the author's assumptions lie in the fact that just because TR12 is the newest model, by default, it will outperform the company's previous model, the TR11, that last year's standard in the areas mentioned will be the same, and the price associated with the TR12 can be justified as an "excellent bargin".
The author argues that since Company X made the best in class camera last year with the TR11, the TR12 will follow suit. However, this require the assumption that the TR12 will actually be a better product in the areas mentioned than the TR11. All the claims will be false if the TR12 is not shown superior to the TR11; therefore, Company X needs to show that the TR12 is a improvement over TR11.
Even if we assume that the TR12 turns out to be a superior product to the TR11, given the speed with which technology and consumer preference advances, we cannot concretely conclude that the same standard set last year will be the same this year. For instance, if last year's standard for being the most portable means being able to fit the camera in one's jean pocket, the technology could have advanced so much that the new definition of portable means being able to attach to one's glasses. In such a case, the success of the TR11 cannot be translated to indicate the success of the TR12.
Lastly, if TR12 does prove to be better than the TR11 and includes innovations that make the TR12 the best in class for the current standard in terms of portability and user-friendliness, we cannot conclude that it would be a bargain. Supposed the TR12 is an upgrade to the TR11, it would presumably be more expensive. It's not a foregone conclusion that the additional innovations justifies the TR12's price increases that the consumers see the new model as a bargin. In fact, some might still think for the functionality and price, the TR11 is still the best model. Even more likely, copycat brands were able to produce the same functionality with lower prices over the previous year; therefore making neither the TR11 or the TR12 the most economical option for its functionalities.
For the above reasons, the author cannot simply assume that the success of the TR11 is a good indication of the success of the TR12.
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