Assess the strength of the following argument: I have a moral obligation to prevent a preventable evil. A child drowning when I can save the child is a preventable evil. Therefore, if I see a child drowning and I can save the child, then I should save the child.

Question

Question 11 options:

This is a strong argument.

This argument is neither strong nor weak.

This is a weak argument.

The strength of this argument cannot be assessed.

Answer 1

This argument can be assessed as strong. It follows a logical structure that connects a moral obligation to the action of preventing a specific evil (in this case, a child drowning). The premises lead to a clear conclusion that aligns with common ethical principles, such as the responsibility to help those in danger when one is able to do so.

The argument can be broken down as follows:

1. It asserts a moral obligation to prevent preventable evils.
2. It identifies drowning as a preventable evil when one has the capacity to intervene.
3. It concludes that therefore, one should act to save the child if possible.

The premises provide sufficient support for the conclusion. Thus, the correct assessment is:

This is a strong argument.