"The Moral Superiority of Non-Existence" - Article Evaluation
Target argument:
1. People should be free to choose how many children they have.
2. Australia needs more skilled workers from abroad.
3. Population growth helps economic growth.
C. There should be no population management measures introduced.
Counterargument:
1.1 Our manipulation with the environmental balance means greater responsibility.
1.2 People need to take action urgently to avoid harm for future generations.
1.3 Australia needs to lead the way.
1.4 Population control is the only way.
1. People are responsible for population growth control to reduce harm it causes and Australia should start taking action now.
2.1 Between 8000BC and 500AD, the human population increased by 290 million people.
2.2 In the past 1500 years, the population increased by 8.7 billion people.
2.3 In the next 50 years the population may increase by more than 290 million people.
2. Population is growing exponentially.
3.1 Our resources are finite and already getting limited.
3.2.1 The main cause of hunger is poverty.
3.2.2 Poorest countries are predicted to contribute to population growth.
3.2.3 With limited resources, poorest countries will be starving.
3.2 Hunger is a consequence of population growth.
3. Population growth is a reason for suffering.
4.1.1national and state Governments cannot deliver adequate health services, roads, power, or public transport.
4.1.2 Efforts to privatise both health services and power grids in NSW, the increased privatisation of road systems in capital cities around Australia are the evidence of infrastructure problem.
4.1 The infrastructure is already deficient.
4.2 Stable population will only require infrastructure maintenance.
4. Population growth is bad for infrastructure.
[cc] expansion of Australia’s population through immigration would help to meet the current skills shortage in the Australian labour market.
5.1 Mining companies can exploit non-renewable resources faster with increased labour market, leading to depletion.
5.2 Building and land development industries are interested in increasing number of workers and tenants.
5. Businesses which advocate for population growth only have their short-term goals and do not think of the global future consequences.
[cc] Population growth leads to economic growth.
6.1 Economic growth and prosperity are not subsequent.
6.2 GDP increase per capita is a real indicator of prosperity.
6.3 Less people with the same GDP means an increase in per capita GDP immediately.
6. Reducing population growth is a way to economic prosperity.
[cc] individuals will be limited in choice to have large families.
7.1 Laws limit citizens to protect them.
7.2 Without natural laws, we need to create our own to sustain the balance.
7. Population management law will protect humanity.
C. Australia should introduce a law that reduces the population growth to zero.
Evaluation
The following is an evaluation of the article “The Moral Superiority of Non-Existence”. The topic of the article is population growth and consequences of overpopulation. The main goal of the article is to encourage the Australian government to introduce a law which would reduce the population growth to zero. The article presents many valid points and uses multiple rhetoric devices to influence the reader. The main points and counterarguments, as well as use of the language and persuasion techniques, will be discussed below. Despite some minor flaws, the arguments are well-supported and convincing.
The author makes a manipulative move by …
