Opponents of laws that require automobile drivers and passengers to wear seat belts argue that in a free society people have the right to take risks as long as the people do not harm other as a result of taking the risks. As a result, they conclude that it should be each person’s decision whether or not to wear a seat belt. Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the conclusion drawn above? Options: A . &nbspAutomobile insurance rates for all automobile owners are higher because of the need to pay for the increased injuries or deaths of people not wearing seat belts. B . &nbspPassengers in airplanes are required to wear seat belts during takeoffs and landings. C . &nbspThe rate of automobile fatalities in states that do not have mandatory seat belt laws is greater than the rate of fatalities in states that do have such laws. D . &nbspIn automobile accidents, a greater number of passengers who do not wear seat belts are injured than are passengers who do wear seat belts. E . &nbspthe inventor of a commonly used anesthetic did not intend the product to be used by dentists, who currently account for almost the entire market for that drug.

Opponents of laws that require automobile drivers and passengers to wear seat be

Question

Opponents of laws that require automobile drivers and passengers to wear seat belts argue that in a free society people have the right to take risks as long as the people do not harm other as a result of taking the risks. As a result, they conclude that it should be each person’s decision whether or not to wear a seat belt.
Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the conclusion drawn above?

Options:

A . Automobile insurance rates for all automobile owners are higher because of the need to pay for the increased injuries or deaths of people not wearing seat belts.

B . Passengers in airplanes are required to wear seat belts during takeoffs and landings.

C . The rate of automobile fatalities in states that do not have mandatory seat belt laws is greater than the rate of fatalities in states that do have such laws.

D . In automobile accidents, a greater number of passengers who do not wear seat belts are injured than are passengers who do wear seat belts.

E . the inventor of a commonly used anesthetic did not intend the product to be used by dentists, who currently account for almost the entire market for that drug.

Answer: Option B
:
B
The principle that people are entitled to risk injury provided they do not thereby harm others fails to justify the individual’s right to decide not to wear seat belts if it can be shown, as Ashows, that that decision does harm others. Therefore, B is the best answer.
B cites a requirement analogous to the one at issue, but its existence alone does not bear on the legitimacy of the one at issue. The argument implicitly concedes that individuals take risks by not wearing seat belts; therefore, Cand D, which simply confirm this concession, do not weaken the conclusion.

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