Overview: Course of Action | Logical Reasoning for CLAT PDF Download

What is Statement and Course of Action?

A course of action is a step taken to counter a given situation, problem or circumstance, so that either it may completely solve the problem or it may reduce the complexity of the problem and improve the situation. The types of questions that are being asked from this section can be based on two courses of action or three courses of action. 

In daily life, a person faces problems with his work, travel, administration, society, friends, family, and so on. These problems need to be solved and the way of acting or dealing to solve these problems or situations is known as the correct course of action. A course of action is considered appropriate or acceptable only when it completely or partially solves the problem, otherwise not. The problem or situation may vary in different circumstances and so the solution of it will also vary. Therefore, to solve these types of problems a careful analysis of the problem is required to reach the correct course of action. 

Types of Statement and Course of Action Reasoning

As we now know what consists of the questions related to the Statement and Course of Action reasoning section. Let us see the various types of questions that may come one by one below. 

Established Fact

Established type of Statement and Course of Action reasoning are of various types. Let us understand them one by one from below.
(a) Experiences predict so: In this type of Statement and Course of Action reasoning, the statement given can be a relatively new one. The solution in this case may not be a universal fact, but the experience predicts that it is true. 

(b) Logical Prediction: In this type of Statement and Course of Action reasoning, the given course of action can be relatively new one and cannot be a universal fact, but from a logical point of view it is true. 

(c) Prevailing notion of truth: In this type of Statement and Course of Action reasoning, statements will be given and solutions for the same will be considered as a strong solution but it will be not in conformity with the prevailing notion of truth. 

Statement and Course of Action Sample Questions

Q1: Statement: Studies have shown that spending too much time on your phone is bad for your focus and mental health.
Courses of action:
I: Most of the push notifications should be turned off.
II: One should get a real alarm clock and avoid taking the mobiles to bed.
Sol: The first course of action follows as the statement tells us about the fact that excessive use of the phone can be bad for our health. And the best action to be taken in this direction is to avoid using mobile phones. No one can deny that mobiles these days are an essential tool, which we can’t stop using completely.
Therefore, the first course of action provides us with a solution to turn off the notifications, so that we avoid much of the unnecessary use of the phone.
Hence, I follow.
Hence both the actions follow.
At the same time, most of the people say that they carry mobile phones to bed because they need the alarm.
But in this context, they end up using the mobile applications till late night.
The second course of action follows as it suggests getting a real alarm, and avoiding taking the phone to bed.
This is the best possible way to avoid using the phone at night. Hence both the actions follow.

Q2: Statement: Fardeen is the best basketball player in his school.
Courses of action: Fardeen should play at the state level.
Sol: The first course of action follows because Fardeen being the best basketball player in his school should definitely try for state level.
There is a chronology to be followed in such activities.
Once you are good at the state level, then you proceed to the national and then interna- tional level.
So, the course of action is true.

Q3: Statement: Scientists predict we’re on the verge of the Sixth Mass Extinction in which three-fourths of all species become extinct.
Course of action:
I: One should take their meals on time.
II: One should avoid purchasing products made from threatened or endangered spe- cies.
Sol: The first course of action is not the correct step to be taken in accordance with the statement given above.
The statement talks about the Sixth Mass Extinction, which needs to be avoided at any cost.
In order to avoid such calamity, eating food on time is not an apt solution or an effective action to be taken in this direction.
Therefore, the first course of action does not follow.
On the other hand, the second course of action brings forward an effective solution for avoiding this mass extinction.
If we avoid purchasing goods made from threatened or endangered species, then the unnecessary killing of these animals will be reduced.
This action will significantly contribute to avoiding such mass extinction. Hence, the second course of action follows.

Q4: Statement: According to the news, few terrorists are hiding inside an old building in Delhi.
Courses of action:
I: Government should send Special Forces to Delhi.
II: Government should offer them to shift to the outskirts of Delhi.
Sol: After knowing the fact that the terrorists are hiding at a certain place, the Government should send special forces immediately.
Knowing that approaching that area will be dangerous, the police should be backed up with special forces as well.
Therefore, the first course of action definitely will be a good measure taken in accordance with the given statement.
On the other hand, the second course of action is vague and totally unrealistic. It is practically not possible to achieve such an action.
Therefore, offering them to shift somewhere is completely out of question. Hence, II does not follow.