Using fossil energy more efficiently

Answer choices

1. A

   Too Weak15% picked this

   It would be unrealistic to expect society to make the changes necessary to achieve maximum energy

   Our common sense already tells us it's unrealistic to expect society to make all required changes to achieve maximum energy efficiency all at once. But that's a Straw Man. No one is arguing that society can make all changes for max efficiency simultaneously. Pointing out that this is impossible has no impact because it's not an idea anyone would have taken seriously in the first place.

   15%
2. B

   Strengthens6% picked this

   There are products, such as automobiles, that consume energy at a sufficient rate that persons who purchase and use them will become conscious of

   This conversation was about whether or not governments should institute regulations that eliminate the most inefficient products/practices, or whether we should leave that to the market. This answer is about whether or not consumers would notice that a product has comparative energy inefficiencies. If you're a believer in markets and you're relying on consumers to "regulate" away the least efficient products by refusing to buy them, it's a necessary assumption that consumers would even be able to realize that they're using an inefficient product. So by affirming a necessary assumption of market believers, this answer is strengthening the position of the Objection.

   6%
3. C

   Too Weak14% picked this

   Whenever a new mode of generating energy, such as a new fuel, is introduced, a number of support systems, such as a fuel-distribution

   One might take this answer and run with it by saying, "The market is not going to solve these energy efficiency problems on its own. After all, it's very risky and cost-intensive to innovate a new mode of generating energy because you have to build some infrastructure too." But, the Objection isn't saying that "the market will innovate new modes of generating energy", it seems to just be implying that "the market will take care of the problem of eliminating the least efficient products/practices in their class." If there's class of products like "gas/electric hybrid automobiles", the original position wants the government to impose standards that eliminate the least efficient gas/electric hybrid on the market. The Objection wants the market to take care of eliminating those worst hybrids. It hasn't claimed that the market will generate new modes of generating energy.

   14%
4. D

   Strengthens4% picked this

   When energy prices rise, consumers of energy tend to look for new ways to increase energy efficiency, such as by

   This is showing how market dynamics can result in consumers performing better efficiency with fossil energy usage, so it strengthens the position of the Objectors, who are saying, "Let's let the market take care of it".

   4%
5. E

   Correct62% picked this

   Often the purchaser of a product, such as a landlord buying an appliance, chooses on the basis of purchase price because the purchaser is

   Why this is right

   This is showing a problem with the market model of solving inefficiencies. If you're buying a car, you might be willing to spend $30k on a Prius rather than $22k on a Corolla, because the Prius gets 50 miles per gallon and the Corolla only gets 32 mpg. You're spending more money up front because you're calculating that you're going to save enough money on using less gas over the lifetime of that car that it's worth the extra up-front investment. The same goes for washing machines and refrigerators. If you're buying one for the house you live in, you might buy the energy-efficient model. It's pricier, but over the long haul you make that extra money back with lower gas and electric bills (while 'accidentally' helping out the environment). The landlord, meanwhile, has no such incentive. Since they only pay the up-front cost and the tenants are paying the utility bills, the landlord has no economic incentive to buy the pricier, energy-efficient model. On a side note, check out how LSAT recycles ideas.

   Skill tested: Weaken · how this choice captures the argument's function is the move to repeat next time.

   62%