Read parts two and four of exercise  on page 47 of your text. Discuss the underlying assumptions and values that are implied in each of the paragraphs. Look for the missing links between the claims and the evidence presented. Do you agree with those assumptions? Are they valid assumptions?

Exercise .

Part 2. Using the Internet causes people to become depressed and isolated. A research study conducted with a group of family member fond that there were negative psychological effects after the family got access to the internet. Although they socialized on the internet using electronic mail, the participants were found to spend less time with their family and friends. Most home computers are set up in a den or bedroom, rather than a living room, where the computer user is likely to be around other people.

Part 4. A man should always have a workplace to go to. Even if you decide to retire, why would you want to stay at home? If you've gone to work every day, why would you just want to stop? After decades of work, you need to continue to be productive. What are you going to do with yourself? How long can you go bicycling, or sit on a beach, or watch golf on TV?

How much volunteer work can you do? For most people, work of value is work that gets paid. The trick is not to have to do really onerous work. You should be able to turn down the volume without switching off completely. My father was a salesman, and at 85 years old, he was still going to an office, dealing with a few accounts. He didn't work very long - he was usually home by early afternoon - but he tried to go to work every day.

Companies have a role, too. They have to realize that the population is aging - the boomers are hitting 65. Companies should offer employees continued employment with reduced or flexible hours. They could set up mentoring programs so that older workers will help companies to minimize the labour crunch that will come as the number of people available for work starts to decline.

Better yet, the companies won't be losing the decades of experience that mature workers have developed, which is not written down anywhere. In fact, studies show that a majority of employers in the Americas, Europe, and Asia find that their older workers are more efficient and more loyal than their younger employees.

And, finally, there has to be political action. Governments must reform pension rules to make having a more flexible retirement a serious possibility. Let's keep the golden years golden.

Dyer,L. "Critical thinking for business students". Captus Press. 2nd edition 2011