Anyone Please evaluate my Argument Answer. This is my first Attempt!::

"Until recently, people in Hiparia did most of their shopping by driving to shopping malls. They are beginning, however, to do more of their shopping by ordering merchandise from mail-order catalogs and the Internet. These purchases are delivered to them by mail or by a delivery service. For many purchases, Hiparians no longer need to drive to and from shopping malls; there will therefore be a resulting reduction in the consumption of vehicle fuel in Hiparia."

The author of the argument states that the people in Hiparia have lately started to do shopping by ordering from Internet and mail-order catalogs,which they used to do by shopping from the mall by long driving. The author argue this virtual shopping sitting home will substantially reduce their driving millage and hereby save the fuel expances. The argument, on the logic the author expressed seem persuasive at the first glance. A close scrutiny, however
reveals that the argument is based on some unsubstatiated assumptions which render it useless.


The main premise on which the argument is base on is the assumption that the same merchandises the people of Hiparia are now buying by internet and mail-order catalogue were available in the shopping mall. He didn't mention that all merchandise are all old products and those were all available in the shopping mall long before. It is possible the mentioned products are all new and those were not sold in the shopping mall. From my personal experience
I know that internet related software, e-book, sophisticated electronice gadgets are all available only in e-shopping not in the store, if we disregards the exception. If the author don't mention about this particular fact, I can't believe that the inhabitants of Hiparia will be benifited for new method of shopping.


Another problem of the argument is the mention of the inhabitants no longer need to drive to and from shopping malls. It is most likely that the new shopping method is not well established and buyers have to go to their local agents and dealers for technical support and all other customer supports. In that case it will no way reduce their driving.


The third problem is that the author didn't mention the neighborhood location about the shopping mall. If the neighborhood of Hiparia is very close to all the shopping malls then reducing driving to go for shopping will little effect the gas cost for the Hiparian.


Another problem is the assumption that the people of Hiparia will reduce their driving for the benifit for mail-order catalog and internet shopping. It is very likely that the neighbors will spend their extra time which they get away from shopping will be spent entirely, if not even more, in pleasure trip and family outing. If this happen they will incur more fuel costs indeed.




All in all, I found the argument is problematic. The make it persuasive, the author must mention the type of the goods the inhabitants purchase by new method. I also need the location of the Hiparia neighborhood with respect to their frequently visited shopping malls and the nature of the people whether they are more inclined to travel if they get any extra time.