Critical reasoning — publish articles of only deserving authors: Should publication be restricted to 'deserving' authors only, with one argument citing paper savings and the counter-argument noting the impracticality of defining deserving vs. undeserving clearly?

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: Only argument II is strong

Explanation:

Given data

  • Statement: Allow only “deserving” authors to be published?
  • Argument I (Yes): Saves paper (short supply).
  • Argument II (No): Impossible to draw a clear line between deserving and undeserving.

Concept/Approach (operational feasibility and fairness)A strong argument should hinge on implementability and fairness. Vague, subjective selection criteria invite bias and arbitrariness.

Step 1: Assess Argument IPaper saving is an incidental resource argument, not a principled publication standard; it does not address how to judge merit.

Step 2: Assess Argument IIPoints to the core practicality problem—objective demarcation is infeasible, risking unjust exclusion.

Final AnswerOnly argument II is strong.

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