Can any research be found to validate the contention that those who spend time plucking out their gray hairs have mor...
LH44February 2, 2020
Structure and Strength
I understand the answer, but have a question about the strength of the argument. The introduction of the idea of morality seemed a little random to me and I don't really see how it ties strongly to the conclusion that there is no connection between plucking grey hairs and disliking the elderly. The connection could be immoral and still exist, correct?
My point is, in addition to understanding this specific question and answer, I want to understand the strength of the argument. To me, this seems rather weak, as if it is missing a premise that ties the question of immorality back to the presence of a connection. Is that correct?
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"Furthermore, holding negative attitudes toward older people merely because they are old is immoral, according to nearly universally accepted ethical standards. But there is nothing immoral about disliking some concomitants of the aging process."
You understand the main point is that there is not necessarily a connection between plucking gray hairs and disliking the elderly. The author introduces morality in order to present another difference between these concepts. One is clearly immoral while the other is not. This strengthens the argument that there is no connection.
Whether we agree with this reasoning or not, the argument structure reveals what the author is trying to do. As for the strength, we will often have to analyze arguments that we believe are weak, or even nonsensical. It is good that you are thinking this way and evaluating the strength of the argument. For main point questions, as for method of reasoning and argument structure questions, we have to take the arguments seriously.
