Question

Carefully read the Evaluation of Arguments" section of the instructions before answering questions
Is the Argument Strong or Weak?

Question: Should the United States Department of Defense keep the public informed of its anticipated scientific research programs by publicizing ahead of time the needs that would be served by each program?

Argument: No; some become critical of the government when widely publicized projects turn out unsuccessfully.

Question: Should the United States Department of Defense keep the public informed of its anticipated scientific research programs by publicizing ahead of time the needs that would be served by each program?

Argument: Yes; only a public so informed will support vital research and development activities with its tax dollars.

Question: Should the United States Department of Defense keep the public informed of its anticipated scientific research programs by publicizing ahead of time the needs that would be served by each program?

Argument: No; it is essential to keep certain military developments secret for national security and defense reasons.

Question: Do juries decide court cases fairly when one of the opposing parties is rich and the other is poor?

Argument: No; because rich people are more likely to settle their cases out of court.

Question: Do juries decide court cases fairly when one of the opposing parties is rich and the other is poor?

Argument: No; most jurors are more sympathetic to poor people than to the rich, and the jurors' sympathies affect their findings.

Answer 1

An argument means dispute in various opposite views.

Weak argument: The word itself suggests it is weak and has false premises. It is not logic based.

Strong argument: A strong argument has believable premises and good evidences. It is logically correct.

1) Should the United States Department of Defense keep the public informed of its anticipated scientific research programs by publicizing ahead of time the needs that would be served by each program?

No; some become critical of the government when widely publicized projects turn out unsuccessfully.

Ans – Weak Argument

2). Should the United States Department of Defense keep the public informed of its anticipated scientific research programs by publicizing ahead of time the needs that would be served by each program?

Yes; only a public so informed will support vital research and development activities with its tax dollars.

Ans – Strong Argument

3) Should the United States Department of Defense keep the public informed of its anticipated scientific research programs by publicizing ahead of time the needs that would be served by each program?

No; it is essential to keep certain military developments secret for national security and defense reasons.

Ans- Strong argument

4) Do juries decide court cases fairly when one of the opposing parties is rich and the other is poor?

Argument: No; because rich people are more likely to settle their cases out of court.

Ans- weak argument

5) Do juries decide court cases fairly when one of the opposing parties is rich and the other is poor?

Argument: No; most jurors are more sympathetic to poor people than to the rich, and the jurors' sympathies affect their findings.

Ans – strong argument