Public policy reasoning — Should India impose a complete ban on all chemical pesticides? Statement: Should there be a complete ban on use of all types of chemical pesticides in India? Arguments: I. No. The pests will destroy all the crops and the farmers will have nothing to harvest. II. Yes. The chemical pesticides used in agriculture pollute underground water and this has become a serious health hazard.

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: Only argument II is strong

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
The question is about an absolute policy (a complete ban) on chemical pesticides. We must evaluate which argument provides a robust, general justification, not a speculative or exaggerated claim. Environmental health, drinking-water safety, and long-term public risk are key considerations.



Given Data / Assumptions:

  • The policy under consideration is a complete ban (not partial restrictions).
  • Chemical pesticides can contaminate groundwater and impose health costs.
  • Integrated Pest Management (IPM), bio-pesticides, and agronomic practices can substitute in many contexts (general knowledge supporting feasibility, though not part of options).


Concept / Approach:
We compare the logical tightness of each argument relative to the proposed absolute ban. A strong argument either demonstrates unacceptable harm from continued use (supporting the ban) or shows why a complete ban is logically untenable across contexts (opposes the ban) with cogent reasoning.



Step-by-Step Solution:

Argument I claims total crop loss. This is an overstatement: pest control has many alternatives (biological control, crop rotation, resistant varieties). The argument is alarmist and not well-reasoned; hence weak.Argument II emphasizes serious health hazards via water pollution. This is a concrete, public-health-oriented rationale directly linked to an absolute ban, therefore strong.


Verification / Alternative check:
Public health harms that are systemic and widespread often justify stringent controls, including bans on especially dangerous compounds. By contrast, slippery-slope claims of “no harvest at all” lack nuance and evidentiary footing.



Why Other Options Are Wrong:

  • I strong: incorrect due to exaggeration and ignoring alternatives.
  • Either I or II strong: false; they are not equally compelling.
  • Neither strong: false; II is strong.
  • Both strong: false; I is weak.


Common Pitfalls:
Assuming that opposing a complete ban requires doomsday scenarios. Better counter-arguments would cite phased regulation or risk-tiering, which I does not present.



Final Answer:
Only argument II is strong

More Questions from Statement and Argument

Discussion & Comments

No comments yet. Be the first to comment!
Join Discussion