The following appeared in an article in a health–and–fitness magazine:
“Laboratory studies show that Saluda Natural Spring Water contains several of the minerals necessary for good health and that it is completely free of bacteria. Residents of Saluda, the small town where the water is bottled, are hospitalized less frequently than the national average. Even though Saluda Natural Spring Water may seem expensive, drinking it instead of tap water is a wise investment in good health.”
Discuss how well reasoned you find this argument. In your discussion be sure to analyze the line of reasoning and the use of evidence in the argument. For example, you may need to consider what questionable assumptions underlie the thinking and what alternative explanations or counter examples might weaken the conclusion. You can also discuss what sort of evidence would strengthen or refute the argument, what changes in the argument would make it more logically sound, and what, if anything, would help you better evaluate its conclusion.
Analysis:
The argument claims that while expensive drinking Saluda Natural Spring Water instead of tap water is a wise investment in good health. The conclusion of the argument is based on the premise that laboratory studies show that the water contains several minerals necessary for good health and is free of bacteria and that the residents of Saluda are hospitalized less frequently than the national average. However, the conclusion of the argument is based on assumptions for which there is no clear evidence. Hence, the argument is unconvincing and has several flaws.
First, the argument readily assumes that the water is the source of the less frequent hospitalizations of the residents of Saluda. However, it fails to mention other factors, which could affect the frequency of hospitalization. For example, the residents could have access to cleaner and fresher food and thus impacting their health and their rate of hospitalization. Also, the author fails to mention the quality of air and pollution levels in the area. Both of which could influence the health of the residents.
Second, the argument could have been much clearer if it provided information on the terrain of the town. In fact, it is not at all clear if the terrain of Saluda requires more movement on foot rather than other modes of transportation which would impact the overall strength of the bodies of residents of Saluda and thus contribute to their overall health.
Lastly, the argument fails to mention one of the key factors, on the basis of which it could be evaluated, namely if residents of Saluda have access to and are able to afford the water as Saluda Natural Spring Water is expensive. If residents are unable to drink this water, then the lower frequency of hospitalization of the residents in comparison to the national average must be due to another factor.
Without this information, the argument is unsubstantiated and open to debate.