Q18 - Dillworth: More and more people

[Shiggins]

I have trouble eliminating choice A

Is A wrong because all he does is say they are irrelevant, and does not show how they are not drawbacks.

I guess I assumed that if they are irrelevant then they are not drawbacks.

If anyone could help explain or correct much appreciated.

[noah]

This is a strange question in that we don't have to deal with the second argument at all (not until question #19).

Dillworth is concluding that if someone has deeply held values, it's probably a mistake to not have kids because of the cost and the lack of gratitude one receives from kids. Why? Because kids are the best way to get your values to live on.

Fair enough.

We're asked to summarize Dillworth's strategy, which is basically to show that there's a greater consideration that some people (those with deeply held values) should take into account when deciding whether to have kids. This is what (D) spells out.

As for (A), Dillworth never says that the counterpoint (that kids are expensive and ungrateful) is false, just that it is probably outweighed by other issues.

(B) is clearly wrong because of the out of scope phrase "morally suspect."

(C) is too extreme - nobody says anything is obligatory.

(E) is perhaps tempting, but the conclusion is not saying what would be appropriate in all cases. It's limited to a certain group, and is hedged with "probably." Furthemore, Dillworth never says that anything would be appropriate - that's a bit of a distortion of what he or she says is a benefit of having children.

[ban2110]

I don't mean to belabor this question but could someone please break down what (D) means?

I understood Noah's explanation but I still cannot match it to answer choice (D). I eliminated (D) immediately only because I didn't understand it--and then it turned out to be right, natch--so I would really appreciate an explanation!

Thank you.

[sumukh09]

I don't mean to belabor this question but could someone please break down what (D) means?

I understood Noah's explanation but I still cannot match it to answer choice (D). I eliminated (D) immediately only because I didn't understand it--and then it turned out to be right, natch--so I would really appreciate an explanation!

Thank you.

Let's break down the argument before we break down what D means. Dillworth's conclusion is that it would be mistake for people who have deeply held values to forgo parenting on the grounds stated in the argument; moreover, that the little gratitude children display towards their parents is not worth the sacrifices necessitated by parenthood.

Dillworth is basically saying it would be a mistake for those who have deeply held values to not have kids because kids suck and not having kids would mean that their values would not live on after them.

Let's break down D:

distinguishing a category of person = people who have deeply held values

for whom the reason presented in favor of a given course of action = having kids mean the parents' (who have deeply held values) values would live on after them

is more telling than the reasons cited against that course of action = the reason for parents who have deeply held values to have kids has more weight than the reasons against having kids ie) personal and economic sacrifices made for ungrateful children

[noah]

Looking good, sumukh09! With a few edits in bold:

Let's break down the argument before we break down what D means. Dillworth's conclusion is that it would be mistake for people who have deeply held values to forgo parenting on the grounds stated in the argument; even though the little gratitude children display towards their parents is not worth the sacrifices necessitated by parenthood, it's worth having kids to get the best chance to see one's values live on after one's death.

Dillworth is basically saying it would be a mistake for those who have deeply held values to not have kids because even though kids suck and not having kids would mean that their values would not live on after them.

Let's break down D:

distinguishing a category of person = people who have deeply held values

for whom the reason presented in favor of a given course of action = having kids mean the parents' (who have deeply held values) values would live on after them

is more telling than the reasons cited against that course of action = the reason for parents who have deeply held values to have kids has more weight than the reasons against having kids ie) personal and economic sacrifices made for ungrateful children

[ban2110]

Looking good, sumukh09! With a few edits in bold:

Let's break down the argument before we break down what D means. Dillworth's conclusion is that it would be mistake for people who have deeply held values to forgo parenting on the grounds stated in the argument; even though the little gratitude children display towards their parents is not worth the sacrifices necessitated by parenthood, it's worth having kids to get the best chance to see one's values live on after one's death.

Dillworth is basically saying it would be a mistake for those who have deeply held values to not have kids because even though kids suck and not having kids would mean that their values would not live on after them.

Let's break down D:

distinguishing a category of person = people who have deeply held values

for whom the reason presented in favor of a given course of action = having kids mean the parents' (who have deeply held values) values would live on after them

is more telling than the reasons cited against that course of action = the reason for parents who have deeply held values to have kids has more weight than the reasons against having kids ie) personal and economic sacrifices made for ungrateful children

Thank you both for all the help! It finally clicked!