Question

Statement: Increasing the minimum wage will improve the overall economy. Arguments: I. Higher wages lead to increased consumer spending, which boosts economic activity.
II. Employers will struggle to afford increased wages, leading to job losses.
III. The government should focus on other economic policies rather than raising the minimum wage.
Which of the following is a strong argument?

• A. Only I
• B. Only II
• C. Only III
• D. Both I and III

Hint:

When judging arguments, look for logical relevance and evidence-based reasoning directly connected to the statement. Opinions without evidence or with unrelated reasoning are weak arguments.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Solution:
Step 1 (Evaluate Argument I).
Argument I provides a direct and logical connection between raising the minimum wage and improving the economy. It explains that higher wages will increase consumer spending, which in turn boosts economic activity. This reasoning is strong and supports the statement effectively. Step 2 (Evaluate Argument II).
Argument II highlights a potential negative effect—job losses—but does not provide sufficient evidence or a strong logical basis to counter the statement. Therefore, it is considered a weak argument in this context. Step 3 (Evaluate Argument III).
Argument III suggests focusing on other policies instead but fails to provide a solid reason why raising the minimum wage would be ineffective. Without strong evidence, this remains a weak argument. Step 4 (Conclusion).
Only Argument I qualifies as a strong argument. \[ {\text{Only I is a strong argument (Option (a)}} \]