Argument 8/4
2.
The following appeared in a letter sent by a committee of homeowners from the Deerhaven Acres to all homeowners in Deerhaven Acres.
“Seven years ago, homeowners in nearby Brookville community adopted a set of restrictions on how the community’s yards should be landscaped and what colors the exteriors of homes should be painted. Since then, average property values have tripled in Brookville. In order to raise property values in Deerhaven Acres, we should adopt our own set of restrictions on landscaping and housepainting.”
The argument above is not cogent enough. First of all, we are not sure that the reasons of rising values are due to those mentioned, besides, we are not sure that the Deerhaven Acres deem the increase（增值）of property values a priority.
If inhabitants in Deerhaven Acres would like to have the same result of property values with Brookville community, they probably need more in-depth evaluation concerning the causes. The rise of the property values are not limited to the reasons given in the passage, for the natural landscape is unlikely to change much during 7 years. If it did, then there are possibilities that the negative results probably overshadow the positive ones: such as some environmental protection problems. Not to mention the colors of exteriors of homes are the least reasons to have a result on property values. Certain factors like the location of the community might play a larger part about the rising of property values. If Deerhaven Acres is located in desert, or far away from commercial areas, it is unlikely for it to have a change on property values just by landscaping the yards and by coloring the exteriors of homes.
The second point we surely need to take into account is the primary concern of Deerhaven Acres dwellers. It is possible that people there does not concern about property value much. The inhabitants’ age, professional backgrounds, and the population of the community are likely to play an important role in whether they are craving for a rise of property values or not. For instance, a group of old people who want to lead a quiet life might not care much about the rise of the property values as they do for other things.
Thirdly, we must consider that what accompany the rise of property values in Brookville as well. If there come lots of negative byproducts along with the rise, then people in Derhaven Acres probably need to think twice before imitating. For instance, there might be some pollutions due to the change of landscape. Besides, what are people in Brookville react to the rise of property values is also very significant. Does their life become better? Are they happier after the rise of the values? If most people move out the community after the rise of the value, say, maybe the community becomes an industrial area, then there certainly are other dimensions we need to consider regarding the change of the neighborhoods, or the house itself.
In conclusion, logical errors in the given passage are legion. If we don’t have the voice from the inhabitants of both Deerhaven Acres and Brookville community, and are ignorant about their intentions, then the argument does not mean anything.
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