30 Strong and Weak Arguments

30.1 Introduction

In this chapter, we evaluate the strength of arguments given in support of or against a statement.
You are provided with a statement followed by a few arguments.
Your task is to decide which arguments are strong (logical, relevant, practical) and which are weak (illogical, irrelevant, emotional, or unrealistic).

30.2 1) What is an Argument?

An argument is a reason given to support or oppose a statement.
Arguments may be: - Strong: Logically valid, fact-based, practical.
- Weak: Illogical, emotional, vague, or based on assumptions.

30.3 2) Guidelines to Identify Strong Arguments

Argument must be directly related to the statement.
It should be logical, practical, and realistic.
It should not be based on assumptions, emotions, or personal opinions.
Strong arguments usually reflect public interest, feasibility, law, or policy.
Weak arguments are often extreme, emotional, or irrelevant.

30.4 3) Examples

30.4.1 Example 1

Statement: Should higher education in India be made free for all?

Argument A: Yes, education is the right of every individual.
Argument B: No, the government does not have sufficient funds to provide free higher education for all.

Argument A: Weak (too general, no practical basis).
Argument B: Strong (practical concern about funding).

30.4.2 Example 2

Statement: Should the use of plastic bags be banned completely?

Argument A: Yes, plastic bags harm the environment and clog drains.
Argument B: No, banning them will make people unhappy.

Argument A: Strong (fact-based, logical).
Argument B: Weak (emotional, vague).

30.4.3 Example 3

Statement: Should voting be made compulsory?

Argument A: Yes, it will increase participation in democracy.
Argument B: No, people may be forced to vote even if they are not interested or informed.

Both A and B are strong arguments.

30.4.4 Example 4

Statement: Should exams be abolished in schools?

Argument A: Yes, exams create stress among children.
Argument B: No, exams are necessary to evaluate the learning progress.

Argument A: Weak (emotional).
Argument B: Strong (logical, educational basis).

30.4.5 Example 5

Statement: Should working hours be reduced to 4 hours per day?

Argument A: Yes, it will make employees happy.
Argument B: No, it will reduce productivity and economic growth.

Argument A: Weak (emotional).
Argument B: Strong (logical, practical).

30.5 4) Common Traps

Do not confuse popular opinion with strong logic.
Extreme, exaggerated, or emotional statements are generally weak.
Both arguments may be strong, or both may be weak, depending on logic.
Avoid bringing in outside assumptions.

30.6 5) Practice Questions

Statement: Should smoking be banned in public places?
A: Yes, it is harmful to passive smokers.
B: No, everyone has freedom of choice.
Statement: Should India host the Olympic Games?
A: Yes, it will boost sports culture and international image.
B: No, it will require huge financial resources.
Statement: Should there be a common entrance test for all universities in India?
A: Yes, it will reduce the stress of multiple exams.
B: No, it will ignore the autonomy of individual universities.
Statement: Should advertisements for junk food be banned?
A: Yes, they mislead children into unhealthy eating habits.
B: No, banning them will reduce government revenue.
Statement: Should corporal punishment be banned in schools?
A: Yes, it negatively affects the personality of children.
B: No, some students only learn discipline through strict punishment.

30.7 6) Answer Key

A – Strong, B – Weak.
A – Strong, B – Strong.
A – Strong, B – Strong.
A – Strong, B – Weak.
A – Strong, B – Weak.

30.8 Summary

Strong arguments are logical, fact-based, practical.
Weak arguments are emotional, vague, or unrealistic.
Always test relevance to the statement.
Both arguments can be strong or weak depending on context.
Focus on logic, feasibility, and public interest when deciding.