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Difficulty: MediumStatement and Arguments

Statement: Should municipal corporations make rooftop rainwater harvesting systems mandatory for all existing and newly constructed residential buildings in urban areas?

Arguments:
I. Yes, as urban groundwater tables are depleting rapidly, and rainwater harvesting provides a sustainable method to replenish aquifers and mitigate urban water scarcity.
II. No, because retrofitting existing older residential structures may pose structural safety risks and high capital costs for property owners without government financial support.
III. Yes, because rainwater is naturally soft and tastes better than piped municipal water supplies.

Which of the arguments listed above is/are strong?

  1. Argument IAnswer
  2. Argument IIAnswer
  3. C
    Argument III

Answer

Both Argument I and Argument II are strong arguments.
Arguments focusing on groundwater replenishment (Argument I) and structural/financial feasibility (Argument II) are both strong because they address the core issue from realistic environmental and administrative viewpoints.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze Argument I for logical strength and policy relevance.
Argument I directly addresses the core issue of urban water crisis by linking mandatory rainwater harvesting to groundwater replenishment, presenting a strong and logically sound argument.
An argument is strong if it is directly relevant, non-trivial, and backed by sound logic or practical necessity.
2
Analyze Argument II for structural and financial feasibility.
Argument II points out real-world implementation challenges, such as structural risk for old buildings and high retrofitting costs for citizens, presenting a valid and strong counter-argument.
Highlighting practical execution bottlenecks and financial burdens constitutes a valid policy argument.
3
Analyze Argument III for relevance and weight.
Argument III focuses on subjective water taste and minor qualities, which are insufficient to justify mandatory urban municipal regulations, making it a weak argument.
Trivial personal preferences or superficial points do not constitute strong arguments in public policy decision-making.

Key Concept

Evaluating Strong and Weak Arguments in Public Policy
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Topics

Statement and Arguments

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