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jekyll12345
- Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Mon Jul 22, 2013 5:42 am
topic - "To reverse the deterioration of the postal service, the government should raise the price of postage stamps. This solution will no doubt prove effective, since the price increase will generate larger revenues and will also reduce the volume of mail, thereby eliminating the strain on the existing system and contributing to improved morale."
Discuss how well reasoned you find this argument. In your discussion, be sure to analyze the line of reasoning and the use of evidence in the argument. For example, you may need to consider what questionable assumptions underlie the thinking and what alternative explanations or counterexamples might weaken the conclusion. You can also discuss what sort of evidence would strengthen or refute the argument, what changes in the argument would make it more logically sound, and what, if anything, would help you better evaluate its conclusion. (used with permission from mba.com)
My answer-
The argument discusses about the revival of the postal industry. The solution suggested is increasing the pice of the postage stamp, which will thereby lead to a decrease in the number of mails, and still increase revenue. The argument suggests that increasing prices will ultimately ensure that the industry will continue to exist, and there will be no strain on the existing systems
There are many assumptions made in the above argument - firstly, it assumes that the masses are still using the postal service in the era of digitisation;secondly, if there are people still using the postal service - they will continue to do so when the price has gone up; thirdly it assumes that the industry would be able to break even, despite the mail size going down.
The only evidence presented is that increase in prize will lead to an increase in revenue.
The argument fails to consider the growing popularity of internet and other means of communication like - telephone, mobile etc.If more number of users are shifting to computers, postal service is going to go down the drain.Also, when internet is becoming a basic necessity in countries like Germany(implying that in most cases it will be free), increasing the prices of the stamps will further reduce the whatsoever remaing popularity of postal industry and number of users will go down drastically. Thirdly, reducing numbers may reduce the strain, but if numbers continue to decline, the industry may not survive at all.
To revive the postal industry increase in price is not the solution, other aspects of postal industry should be taken into consideration- speedy delivery could be one.
Hence the argument thriving on many assumptions, doesn't present a strong case for revival of the postal industry.
Discuss how well reasoned you find this argument. In your discussion, be sure to analyze the line of reasoning and the use of evidence in the argument. For example, you may need to consider what questionable assumptions underlie the thinking and what alternative explanations or counterexamples might weaken the conclusion. You can also discuss what sort of evidence would strengthen or refute the argument, what changes in the argument would make it more logically sound, and what, if anything, would help you better evaluate its conclusion. (used with permission from mba.com)
My answer-
The argument discusses about the revival of the postal industry. The solution suggested is increasing the pice of the postage stamp, which will thereby lead to a decrease in the number of mails, and still increase revenue. The argument suggests that increasing prices will ultimately ensure that the industry will continue to exist, and there will be no strain on the existing systems
There are many assumptions made in the above argument - firstly, it assumes that the masses are still using the postal service in the era of digitisation;secondly, if there are people still using the postal service - they will continue to do so when the price has gone up; thirdly it assumes that the industry would be able to break even, despite the mail size going down.
The only evidence presented is that increase in prize will lead to an increase in revenue.
The argument fails to consider the growing popularity of internet and other means of communication like - telephone, mobile etc.If more number of users are shifting to computers, postal service is going to go down the drain.Also, when internet is becoming a basic necessity in countries like Germany(implying that in most cases it will be free), increasing the prices of the stamps will further reduce the whatsoever remaing popularity of postal industry and number of users will go down drastically. Thirdly, reducing numbers may reduce the strain, but if numbers continue to decline, the industry may not survive at all.
To revive the postal industry increase in price is not the solution, other aspects of postal industry should be taken into consideration- speedy delivery could be one.
Hence the argument thriving on many assumptions, doesn't present a strong case for revival of the postal industry.
