D265 - CRITICAL THINKING / WGU -
REASONING AND EVIDENCE QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS
PROPOSITIONS - ANSWER-Are statements that can be true or false
NON-PROPOSITONS - ANSWER-Are sentences that are not statements about
matters of fact or fiction. They do not make a claim that can be true or false.
SIMPLE PROPOSITIONS - ANSWER-Have no internal logic structure, meaning
whether they are true or false does not depend on whether a part of them is true or
false. They are simply true or false on their own. (Example: Harry Potter wears
glasses. The sky is blue.)
COMPLEX PROPOSITIONS - ANSWER-Have internal logic structure, meaning
they are composed of simple propositions. Whether they are true or false depends
on whether their parts are true or false. (Example: The sky is blue, but it does not
look blue to me right now. The cat ate the food, but he did not like it. The GDP of
Canada is either $3 trillion or $12 trillion.)
Words used to identify Independent Propositions - ANSWER-AND, OR, EITHER,
BUT, IF, THEN.
CONCLUSION INDICATORS - ANSWER-THEREFORE, SO, IT FOLLOWS
THAT, HENCE, THUS, ENTAILS THAT, WE MAY CONCLUDE THAT,
IMPLIES THAT, WHEREFORE, AND AS A RESULT.
PREMISE INDICATORS - ANSWER-BECAUSE, FOR, GIVEN THAT, AS,
SINCE, AS INDICATED BY.
DEDUCTIVE ARGUMENTS - ANSWER-Arguments where the premises
guarantee or necessitate the conclusion.
-mathematical arguments, logical arguments, arguments from definition.
,INDUCTION ARGUMENTS - ANSWER-Arguments where the premises make
the conclusion probable.
-analogies, authority, causal inferences, extrapolations, etc.
INFERENCE TO THE BEST EXPLANATION OR ABDUCTION - ANSWER-
Arguments where the best available explanation is chosen as the correct
explanation.
FORMAL FALLACY - ANSWER-Concerns the structure of an argument
INFORMAL FALLACY - ANSWER-Concerns the informational content of an
argument
A FORMAL FALLACY IS A TYPE OF - ANSWER-Bad Argument Structure
Which piece of information would be the most helpful to know in assessing the
credibility of a news story? - ANSWER-Whether the name of the author and the
publication are identified
Which questions are most appropriate for evaluating the credibility of an
information source? - ANSWER-Who funded it? & Does it try to get you to
distrust other sources?
While researching a topic on the internet, a student encounters two different
websites, one of that looks more official than the other and includes tables, charts,
and statistics, while the other does not.
What is the line of reasoning this student should employ to determine which site is
more credible? - ANSWER-It is not feasible to determine which site is more
credible from the information provided.
In which way should an information source be approached if it is stating that it is
the only source of real information and that other sources cannot be trusted? -
ANSWER-Skeptically, because the source may lack credibility.
PRINCIPLE OF CHARITY - ANSWER-The principle of charity suggests we
should try to understand ideas before criticizing them.
, Which of the following are reasons for applying the principle of charity? -
ANSWER-It is morally right to give others the benefit of the doubt.
It allows for a clearer understanding of the issue.
Smith is committed to the belief that technological advancement is always
beneficial and thus never detrimental to human life. Smith reads a carefully written
and sufficiently argued essay in which the author contends that the human adoption
of any new technology involves both advantages and disadvantages to its adopters.
Since Smith is a loyal technophile, Smith accepts the author's claims about the
advantages of technology but rejects the author's claims about the disadvantages of
technology.
Which cognitive bias is Smith demonstrating? - ANSWER-Confirmation Bias
CONFIRMATION BIAS - ANSWER-the tendency to interpret new evidence as
confirmation of one's existing beliefs or theories.
COGNITIVE BIAS - ANSWER-a systematic thought process caused by the
tendency of the human brain to simplify information processing through a filter of
personal experience and preferences.
HEURISTICS - ANSWER-are practical rules of thumb that manifest as mental
shortcuts in judgment and decision-making.
Which sentence reflects strong critical thinking? - ANSWER-"In any event, our
purpose is to better understand the relevant issues so that we may make an
informed decision on the topic."
Since inflation is rising rapidly, and because we are approaching the point at which
reversal is not possible, it follows that we need to institute a new economic policy,
and we need to act quickly. Which two statements contain premises of the given
argument? - ANSWER-We are approaching the point at which reversal is not
possible. & Inflation is rising rapidly.
"Products manufactured in our country are the best because we make the best
automobiles," declared Kennedy. Which two descriptors best characterize
Kennedy's comments? - ANSWER-An inference & A weak argument & A
proposition
REASONING AND EVIDENCE QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS
PROPOSITIONS - ANSWER-Are statements that can be true or false
NON-PROPOSITONS - ANSWER-Are sentences that are not statements about
matters of fact or fiction. They do not make a claim that can be true or false.
SIMPLE PROPOSITIONS - ANSWER-Have no internal logic structure, meaning
whether they are true or false does not depend on whether a part of them is true or
false. They are simply true or false on their own. (Example: Harry Potter wears
glasses. The sky is blue.)
COMPLEX PROPOSITIONS - ANSWER-Have internal logic structure, meaning
they are composed of simple propositions. Whether they are true or false depends
on whether their parts are true or false. (Example: The sky is blue, but it does not
look blue to me right now. The cat ate the food, but he did not like it. The GDP of
Canada is either $3 trillion or $12 trillion.)
Words used to identify Independent Propositions - ANSWER-AND, OR, EITHER,
BUT, IF, THEN.
CONCLUSION INDICATORS - ANSWER-THEREFORE, SO, IT FOLLOWS
THAT, HENCE, THUS, ENTAILS THAT, WE MAY CONCLUDE THAT,
IMPLIES THAT, WHEREFORE, AND AS A RESULT.
PREMISE INDICATORS - ANSWER-BECAUSE, FOR, GIVEN THAT, AS,
SINCE, AS INDICATED BY.
DEDUCTIVE ARGUMENTS - ANSWER-Arguments where the premises
guarantee or necessitate the conclusion.
-mathematical arguments, logical arguments, arguments from definition.
,INDUCTION ARGUMENTS - ANSWER-Arguments where the premises make
the conclusion probable.
-analogies, authority, causal inferences, extrapolations, etc.
INFERENCE TO THE BEST EXPLANATION OR ABDUCTION - ANSWER-
Arguments where the best available explanation is chosen as the correct
explanation.
FORMAL FALLACY - ANSWER-Concerns the structure of an argument
INFORMAL FALLACY - ANSWER-Concerns the informational content of an
argument
A FORMAL FALLACY IS A TYPE OF - ANSWER-Bad Argument Structure
Which piece of information would be the most helpful to know in assessing the
credibility of a news story? - ANSWER-Whether the name of the author and the
publication are identified
Which questions are most appropriate for evaluating the credibility of an
information source? - ANSWER-Who funded it? & Does it try to get you to
distrust other sources?
While researching a topic on the internet, a student encounters two different
websites, one of that looks more official than the other and includes tables, charts,
and statistics, while the other does not.
What is the line of reasoning this student should employ to determine which site is
more credible? - ANSWER-It is not feasible to determine which site is more
credible from the information provided.
In which way should an information source be approached if it is stating that it is
the only source of real information and that other sources cannot be trusted? -
ANSWER-Skeptically, because the source may lack credibility.
PRINCIPLE OF CHARITY - ANSWER-The principle of charity suggests we
should try to understand ideas before criticizing them.
, Which of the following are reasons for applying the principle of charity? -
ANSWER-It is morally right to give others the benefit of the doubt.
It allows for a clearer understanding of the issue.
Smith is committed to the belief that technological advancement is always
beneficial and thus never detrimental to human life. Smith reads a carefully written
and sufficiently argued essay in which the author contends that the human adoption
of any new technology involves both advantages and disadvantages to its adopters.
Since Smith is a loyal technophile, Smith accepts the author's claims about the
advantages of technology but rejects the author's claims about the disadvantages of
technology.
Which cognitive bias is Smith demonstrating? - ANSWER-Confirmation Bias
CONFIRMATION BIAS - ANSWER-the tendency to interpret new evidence as
confirmation of one's existing beliefs or theories.
COGNITIVE BIAS - ANSWER-a systematic thought process caused by the
tendency of the human brain to simplify information processing through a filter of
personal experience and preferences.
HEURISTICS - ANSWER-are practical rules of thumb that manifest as mental
shortcuts in judgment and decision-making.
Which sentence reflects strong critical thinking? - ANSWER-"In any event, our
purpose is to better understand the relevant issues so that we may make an
informed decision on the topic."
Since inflation is rising rapidly, and because we are approaching the point at which
reversal is not possible, it follows that we need to institute a new economic policy,
and we need to act quickly. Which two statements contain premises of the given
argument? - ANSWER-We are approaching the point at which reversal is not
possible. & Inflation is rising rapidly.
"Products manufactured in our country are the best because we make the best
automobiles," declared Kennedy. Which two descriptors best characterize
Kennedy's comments? - ANSWER-An inference & A weak argument & A
proposition
