Question

The united states should convert to the metric system, as almost all other countries have. Now consider how someone might argue against this. Which sentence presents the stronger and more reasonable counterclaim to the above claim?

1) The imperial system is deeply ingrained in American culture and changing to the metric system would be too disruptive.
2) The metric system is more accurate and easier to use than the imperial system.
3) Converting to the metric system would require significant time, effort, and resources.
4) The United States should prioritize other issues, such as healthcare and education, over converting to the metric system.

Answer 1

The most reasonable counterclaim is that transitioning to the metric system would require significant time, effort, and resources. While the metric system has clear advantages in terms of simplicity and global standardization, the cost and scale of change present practical challenges.

Step-by-step explanation:

The counterclaim that presents the stronger and more reasonable argument to the claim that the United States should convert to the metric system is that converting to the metric system would require significant time, effort, and resources. This counterclaim acknowledges the practical difficulties associated with a systemic change in measurement units. Though the metric system is indeed more accurate and easier to use due to its reliance on powers of 10 for unit conversions, such as 100 centimeters in a meter and 1000 meters in a kilometer, the transition from the U.S. Customary System—which has units like 12 inches in a foot and 5280 feet in a mile—would be extensive and costly.

The cultural ingrainedness of the Imperial System in American life is another counterclaim but may be considered less practical as cultures can and do change over time. Arguing that the United States should prioritize other issues can also be a valid point, but it doesn't address the merits of the metric system itself or the actual transition costs.