(Answered 2023/2024) WGU C168 Critical Thinking and Logic

Purpose (ele) - -Goal or objective of reasoning. -Describes the desired outcome or intent Question (ele) - -All reasoning is directed at some question. -How do you clearly frame the question, problem, or issue? Assumptions (ele) - -Reasoning has to begin somewhere. They lie at the heart of arguments -Everything we take for granted as true in order to figure out something else. Implications (ele) - -Delivers us to a position or viewpoint about something. -The implications/consequences of our reasoning are what extend beyond the position we reach. Information (ele) - -Must determine what information is relevant to what we are critically thinking about. -Rely on information to direct us to a supportable conclusion. Concepts (ele) - -General categories or ideas by which we interpret or classify information used in our thinking. -Critical thinking requires us to be aware of the concepts we hold and consider how they drive our reasoning. Inferences (ele) - -To make inferences is to come to conclusions. -Example: "One drives by a store and sees no cars in the parking lot or lights in the window, one infers that store is closed." Clarity (std) - -Clearness -Our thinking is clear when it is easily understood. -Cannot determine either the accuracy or relevance of a statement if it is unclear. Question: "Could you elaborate on that point?" Accuracy (std) - -To represent something as it actually is. -Think accurately when our reasoning expresses how thing actually are. Question: "How can we determine if that is true?" Precision (std) - -Reasoning is precise when it is specific, exact, and detailed. -Something may be clear but not precise Example: "I am going to the party soon"(Clear but imprecise) vs "I am going to the party at 8pm. (Clear and precise)" Relevance (std) - -Something is relevant when it pertains to the problem we seek to solve. -Thinking is relevant when it focuses on what is important to the question. Question: "How does this idea relate to the issue?" Depth (std) - -Depth directs us to delve deeper into an issue. -Addresses those complexities in an intellectually responsible way. Question: "How do you take into account the problems in the question?" Breadth (std) - -Considers the issue at hand from every relevant viewpoint (Broad) -Directs us to look around us, at alternative or opposing perspectives Question: "Do we need to consider another point of view?" Logic (std) - -Thoughts and the order they are organized are mutually supportive and make sense in combination. Question: "Does all this make sense together?" Significance (std) - -Concentrate on the most important information relevant to the issue at hand Question: "Which of these ideas is most important?" Fairness (std) - - Thinking is fair when it is justified -Thinking that satisfies all other fundamental standards satisfies the standard of justifiably. Question: "Am I taking full account of thinking of others?" Three types of Questions - - facts - preference - judgement Standards of Reasoning - clarity depth accuracy relevance fairness precision breadth significance logic Claire Drives her Acura Really Fast Partly Because She Loves it Elements of Reasoning - Purpose Information Questions Concepts Assumptions Inferences Implications Points of View