Q. The following appeared in an article in a health and fitness magazine:
“Laboratory studies show that Saluda Natural Spring Water contains several of the minerals necessary for good health and that it is completely free of bacteria. Residents of Saluda, the small town where the water is bottled, are hospitalized less frequently than the national average. Even though Saluda Natural Spring Water may seem expensive, drinking it instead of tap water is a wise investment in good health.”
Discuss how well reasoned the above argument is. You will have to consider the assumptions that underlie the writer’s thinking. Describe alternative explanations or counterexamples that might weaken his or her conclusion. You must come up with evidence that would strengthen or refute the argument or identify what changes would make the argument more logically sound.
ANSWER:
The argument states that Saluda Natural Spring Water contains several minerals which are vital for good health and is completely free of bacteria. Residents of Saluda have been hospitalized less frequently than the national average. It is expensive as compared to tap water but is a wise investment in good health.
Firstly, I agree with this argument in general. Saluda Natural Spring Water has been preferred by many people as it contains minerals which are beneficial for optimal health and is free of bacteria. Moreover, residents of Saluda have been hospitalized less frequently than the national average. This clearly indicates that people who consume Saluda Natural Spring Water on a regular basis are healthier than those who do not consume it. On the other hand, tap water is not a better option for drinking as it is contaminated with harmful chemicals that would lead to adverse health effects.
Secondly, Saluda can promote themselves on various sources of media such as television, radio, newspapers, banners and social networking websites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. They should outline the differences between consuming regular tap water and Saluda Natural Spring Water so that people are aware and familiar about the type of water they should consume. Moreover, Saluda Natural Spring Water should state the impact of consuming tap water over a certain period of time so that few people use it for regular use. The company can hire famous celebrities for promoting their product which would cause their profits and revenues to rise drastically.
Thirdly, the company can be more successful in the future if they listen to the views and opinions of the consumers regarding the product. This would help them greatly in improving their services. Furthermore, Saluda Natural Spring Water should also consider in representing a strong brand image when compared to other companies in the market. This would enable them to have a strong position in the market.
In conclusion, Saluda Natural Spring Water is a better option than regular tap water since it is abundant in minerals which are optimal for good health as well as does not contain chemicals harmful to health. In addition, fewer people living in Saluda have been hospitalized as compared to the national average. This shows that people who consumed the water have been diagnosed with fewer diseases as compared to those who have not consumed the water. The company should advertise themselves as a result more people will be familiar and keen to purchase the product.