PHIL 347 WEEK 6 CHECKPOINT TEXT EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS NEW SOLUTION
2026/2027 AMERICAN PUBLIC UNIVERSITY
What are the three types of reasoning? - ANS-empirical, ideological, comparative
What is comparative reasoning? What skill is it based on? - ANS-comparative reasoning
compares and contrasts different elements to draw conclusions or make judgments. It is
based on pattern recognition.
Using the 4 tests of worthiness to evaluate comparative reasoning? - ANS-We do NOT
use the four tests of worthiness to evaluate comparative reasoning.
What are the criteria (important ways) to determine which comparisons should be alike?
- ANS-familiarity, simplicity, comprehensiveness, productivity, and testability
How can a comparison be more comprehensive than another? - ANS-to the extent that
it captures a greater number of essential or central features
Define empirical reasoning. - ANS-drawing conclusions based on observable evidence
and data
What are the 3 defining characteristics of empirical reasoning? - ANS-inductive, self-
corrective, independent verification
What is a null hypothesis? - ANS-two events are related only by chance
What is the purpose of empirical reasoning? - ANS-to explain how or why events occur;
to predict based on observations, what events might occur and to control events
How do we evaluate empirical reasoning? - ANS-the four tests of
worthiness(truthfulness, logical strength, relevance, non-circularity)
What part of a research study addresses the test of logical strength? - ANS-the
variables and the tests applied
Explain peer review. What is the process of peer review designed to do? - ANS-Peer
reviews are when other experts in the field ensures the quality and validity of research
articles before they are published.
The authors of our text state: "We have 40 years of data across multiple studies that
confirm the positive correlation between taking a course in critical thinking and
improvements in the students' pretest to post-test critical thinking skills scores. It would
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS NEW SOLUTION
2026/2027 AMERICAN PUBLIC UNIVERSITY
What are the three types of reasoning? - ANS-empirical, ideological, comparative
What is comparative reasoning? What skill is it based on? - ANS-comparative reasoning
compares and contrasts different elements to draw conclusions or make judgments. It is
based on pattern recognition.
Using the 4 tests of worthiness to evaluate comparative reasoning? - ANS-We do NOT
use the four tests of worthiness to evaluate comparative reasoning.
What are the criteria (important ways) to determine which comparisons should be alike?
- ANS-familiarity, simplicity, comprehensiveness, productivity, and testability
How can a comparison be more comprehensive than another? - ANS-to the extent that
it captures a greater number of essential or central features
Define empirical reasoning. - ANS-drawing conclusions based on observable evidence
and data
What are the 3 defining characteristics of empirical reasoning? - ANS-inductive, self-
corrective, independent verification
What is a null hypothesis? - ANS-two events are related only by chance
What is the purpose of empirical reasoning? - ANS-to explain how or why events occur;
to predict based on observations, what events might occur and to control events
How do we evaluate empirical reasoning? - ANS-the four tests of
worthiness(truthfulness, logical strength, relevance, non-circularity)
What part of a research study addresses the test of logical strength? - ANS-the
variables and the tests applied
Explain peer review. What is the process of peer review designed to do? - ANS-Peer
reviews are when other experts in the field ensures the quality and validity of research
articles before they are published.
The authors of our text state: "We have 40 years of data across multiple studies that
confirm the positive correlation between taking a course in critical thinking and
improvements in the students' pretest to post-test critical thinking skills scores. It would
