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Question

Difficulty: MediumWeakening Arguments

To increase the proportion of borrowed books returned on or before their due date, the Metro Central Library system plans to eliminate all monetary overdue fines and instead send automated daily text reminders starting three days prior to each book's due date. Library administrators reason that monetary fines create anxiety that deters patrons from returning late books promptly, whereas text notifications directly address the primary reason for late returns: patrons simply forgetting the due date. Which of the following, if true, provides the strongest ground for doubting that the library system's plan will achieve its goal?

  1. A survey of library patrons revealed that most late returns are driven by the physical inconvenience of visiting a branch rather than forgetfulness, and patrons are even less motivated to make prompt return trips when monetary penalties are absent.Answer
  2. B
    Patrons who opt in to text messaging services from commercial retailers return overdue rental items significantly faster than those who do not receive digital alerts.
  3. C
    The automated text reminder system requires an initial software license purchase that will consume a notable portion of the library's annual technology budget.
  4. D
    Many library patrons who regularly return books on time also utilize digital e-books, which automatically expire without requiring physical return.
  5. E
    While text notifications increase patron engagement with library announcements, digital reminders cannot be delivered to patrons who do not provide a valid cell phone number.

Answer

The plan is most weakened by evidence showing that late returns are primarily caused by the inconvenience of visiting a branch rather than forgetfulness, and that eliminating fines decreases patrons' motivation to return books on time.
The correct answer undermines the fundamental assumption of the plan. The library assumes that forgetfulness is the main cause of late returns and that fines are counterproductive. If late returns are actually caused by the inconvenience of visiting a branch, text reminders will not solve the underlying problem. Furthermore, if eliminating fines removes patrons' motivation to make the trip, the plan will actively decrease on-time returns.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the conclusion and main premise of the argument.
Conclusion: Replacing monetary overdue fines with text reminders will increase on-time book returns. Main Premise: Late returns occur primarily because patrons forget due dates, and fines cause anxiety.
Understanding the central assumption—that forgetfulness causes late returns—is essential to evaluating how to weaken the conclusion.
2
Evaluate the underlying assumption.
The argument assumes that text reminders will fix the main cause of late returns (forgetfulness) and that eliminating fines will not decrease on-time returns.
To weaken a plan-to-goal argument, one must show that the plan fails to address the real problem or introduces counterproductive incentives.
3
Select the choice that directly attacks the core assumption.
The option showing that convenience, not forgetfulness, drives late returns and that removing fines reduces motivation directly undermines the plan's feasibility.
This shows both that the text reminders address a non-primary factor and that removing fines makes the goal harder to achieve.

Key Concept

Weakening a Plan-to-Goal Argument
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Topics

Weakening Arguments

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