WGU C168 OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT
COMPREHENSIVE TEST PAPER COMPLETE
◉ How does one ensure that all reasoning is expressed through, and
shaped by, concepts and ideas? Answer: Clearly identify key
concepts.
Consider alternative concepts or alternative definitions for
concepts.
Make sure you are using concepts with care and precision.
Use concepts justifiably (not distorting their established meanings).
◉ How does one ensure that all reasoning contains inferences or
interpretations by which we draw conclusions and give meaning to
data? Answer: Infer only what the evidence implies.
Check inferences for their consistency with each other.
Identify assumptions that lead you to your inferences.
Make sure your inferences logically follow from the information.
◉ How does one ensure that all reasoning leads somewhere or has
implications and consequences? Answer: Trace the logical
implications and consequences that follow from your reasoning.
,Search for negative as well as positive implications.
Consider all possible significant consequences.
5.21 Think for Yourself CHECKPOINTS IN THINKING
◉ How does reasoning relate to Points of view? Answer: Reasoning
always takes place within some point of view. It has some
comprehensive focus or orientation. The same issue considered
from different points of view may appear not at all the same.
Each of us is at the center of our own point of view. We see from our
vantage point. The critical thinker must be able to identify within
which point of view reasoning occurs. From what perspective or
angle (e.g., conservative or liberal, religious or secular, political or
cultural) is an issue being looked at or characterized?
◉ How does reasoning relate to Purpose? Answer: Purpose is the
goal or objective of reasoning. It describes the desired outcome or
intent (e.g., winning an argument, grasping a complex concept,
justifying one's behavior). We can identify purpose in anything that
entails reasoning. The critical thinker always asks what function
reasoning serves and in what direction it is moving.
◉ How does reasoning relate to Questioning? Answer: All reasoning
is directed at some question. In any reasoning context, the critical
thinker should ask...
,What question needs to be answered?
or
What problem needs to be solved?
or
What issue needs to be resolved?
As an aspiring critical thinker, you need to learn how to clearly frame
the question, problem, or issue at which your reasoning is directed.
◉ How does reasoning relate to Assumptions? Answer: Reasoning
has to begin somewhere. It begins with our assumptions. These
encompass everything we take for granted as true in order to figure
out something else.
For example, suppose you're the new general manager of a pro
baseball team that just finished in last place. As you undertake to
improve the team, you might assume that...
Its won-lost record reflects its talent level
You need better players
You must spend more money to upgrade your roster
, Assumptions are always present in any form of reasoning. They lie at
the heart of arguments. But people usually don't openly express
their core assumptions when they reason. Being able to identify
assumptions (others' and our own) is essential to critical thinking.
◉ How does reasoning relate to Implications and consequences?
Answer: Reasoning delivers us to a position or viewpoint about
something. The implications of our reasoning are what extend
beyond the position we reach. They form the answer to the question,
"What follows from our reasoning?"
Suppose we reason to the conclusion that tobacco should be banned
by law because tobacco is a grave public health hazard. One
implication of our reasoning might be that a ban should also be
considered on the sale of high-fat foods, which are implicated in
epidemics of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
◉ How does reasoning relate to Information? Answer: We use
information whenever we reason. Information takes many forms:
statistical data, our observations, others' testimony, etc. In thinking
critically about an issue, we must determine what information is
relevant to it. We rely on information to direct us to a supportable
conclusion.
Reasoning often follows from bad or incomplete information.
Therefore, the critical thinker must be able to skillfully evaluate
information for accuracy and completeness. We need to recognize
COMPREHENSIVE TEST PAPER COMPLETE
◉ How does one ensure that all reasoning is expressed through, and
shaped by, concepts and ideas? Answer: Clearly identify key
concepts.
Consider alternative concepts or alternative definitions for
concepts.
Make sure you are using concepts with care and precision.
Use concepts justifiably (not distorting their established meanings).
◉ How does one ensure that all reasoning contains inferences or
interpretations by which we draw conclusions and give meaning to
data? Answer: Infer only what the evidence implies.
Check inferences for their consistency with each other.
Identify assumptions that lead you to your inferences.
Make sure your inferences logically follow from the information.
◉ How does one ensure that all reasoning leads somewhere or has
implications and consequences? Answer: Trace the logical
implications and consequences that follow from your reasoning.
,Search for negative as well as positive implications.
Consider all possible significant consequences.
5.21 Think for Yourself CHECKPOINTS IN THINKING
◉ How does reasoning relate to Points of view? Answer: Reasoning
always takes place within some point of view. It has some
comprehensive focus or orientation. The same issue considered
from different points of view may appear not at all the same.
Each of us is at the center of our own point of view. We see from our
vantage point. The critical thinker must be able to identify within
which point of view reasoning occurs. From what perspective or
angle (e.g., conservative or liberal, religious or secular, political or
cultural) is an issue being looked at or characterized?
◉ How does reasoning relate to Purpose? Answer: Purpose is the
goal or objective of reasoning. It describes the desired outcome or
intent (e.g., winning an argument, grasping a complex concept,
justifying one's behavior). We can identify purpose in anything that
entails reasoning. The critical thinker always asks what function
reasoning serves and in what direction it is moving.
◉ How does reasoning relate to Questioning? Answer: All reasoning
is directed at some question. In any reasoning context, the critical
thinker should ask...
,What question needs to be answered?
or
What problem needs to be solved?
or
What issue needs to be resolved?
As an aspiring critical thinker, you need to learn how to clearly frame
the question, problem, or issue at which your reasoning is directed.
◉ How does reasoning relate to Assumptions? Answer: Reasoning
has to begin somewhere. It begins with our assumptions. These
encompass everything we take for granted as true in order to figure
out something else.
For example, suppose you're the new general manager of a pro
baseball team that just finished in last place. As you undertake to
improve the team, you might assume that...
Its won-lost record reflects its talent level
You need better players
You must spend more money to upgrade your roster
, Assumptions are always present in any form of reasoning. They lie at
the heart of arguments. But people usually don't openly express
their core assumptions when they reason. Being able to identify
assumptions (others' and our own) is essential to critical thinking.
◉ How does reasoning relate to Implications and consequences?
Answer: Reasoning delivers us to a position or viewpoint about
something. The implications of our reasoning are what extend
beyond the position we reach. They form the answer to the question,
"What follows from our reasoning?"
Suppose we reason to the conclusion that tobacco should be banned
by law because tobacco is a grave public health hazard. One
implication of our reasoning might be that a ban should also be
considered on the sale of high-fat foods, which are implicated in
epidemics of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
◉ How does reasoning relate to Information? Answer: We use
information whenever we reason. Information takes many forms:
statistical data, our observations, others' testimony, etc. In thinking
critically about an issue, we must determine what information is
relevant to it. We rely on information to direct us to a supportable
conclusion.
Reasoning often follows from bad or incomplete information.
Therefore, the critical thinker must be able to skillfully evaluate
information for accuracy and completeness. We need to recognize
