Difficulty: Hard
Correct Answer: If only Argument I is Strong.
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
Population policy involves rights, health, and development trade-offs. This question evaluates the reasoning quality, not personal beliefs. We examine whether each argument gives a compelling policy ground.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
Argument I claims necessity (“only way”). This is an overstatement in strict terms—education, women’s agency, contraception access, and economic changes also reduce fertility. However, in the narrow competitive format, I advances a direct causal lever toward the target (lower births). Argument II commits an appeal-to-practice fallacy: what other countries do is not decisive on merits.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Verification / Alternative check:
Non-coercive programs have reduced fertility in many places, which tempers I’s “only way” phrasing; yet, judged against II’s weakness, I remains the stronger.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
“Only II/Either/Neither” misclassify a fallacious appeal to practice as strong or deny I’s directness.
Common Pitfalls:
Equating moral acceptability with test logic; here we score argument strength within the given answer set.
Final Answer:
If only Argument I is Strong.
Discussion & Comments