PHIL 347 EXAM PREP VERIFIED
Critical Reasoning
COMPLETED
2023/2024
, 1. What is the difference between deductive and inductive arguments? Give an example of each type.
- Deductive arguments are arguments that claim to establish their conclusions with certainty, based on the
logical relations between the premises and the conclusion. Inductive arguments are arguments that claim to
establish their conclusions with some degree of probability, based on the evidence or experience that
supports the premises. For example, a deductive argument is: "All humans are mortal. Socrates is a human.
Therefore, Socrates is mortal." An inductive argument is: "Most birds can fly. Tweety is a bird. Therefore,
Tweety can fly."
2. What is a fallacy? Name and explain three common fallacies in reasoning.
- A fallacy is a mistake in reasoning that renders an argument invalid, unsound, or weak. Some common
fallacies are:
- Ad hominem: attacking the person who makes an argument, rather than the argument itself.
- Begging the question: assuming what needs to be proven, or using circular reasoning.
- Post hoc ergo propter hoc: inferring causation from mere correlation, or assuming that because one event
follows another, the first event caused the second.
3. What is the principle of charity in critical thinking? Why is it important to apply it when evaluating
arguments?
- The principle of charity is the idea that we should interpret other people's arguments in the most reasonable
way possible, and avoid attributing to them irrational or illogical views. It is important to apply this
principle because it helps us to understand and engage with different perspectives, and to avoid straw man
arguments or misunderstandings.
4. What are some criteria for evaluating the quality of sources and evidence in critical reasoning? Give an
example of a reliable and an unreliable source of information.
- Some criteria for evaluating the quality of sources and evidence are:
- Relevance: how closely related the source or evidence is to the topic or question at hand.
- Accuracy: how factual, precise, and correct the source or evidence is, and whether it can be verified by
other sources.
- Authority: how credible, qualified, and trustworthy the source or evidence is, and whether it has any bias
or agenda.
- Currency: how up-to-date, timely, and recent the source or evidence is, and whether it reflects the current
state of knowledge or debate.
- An example of a reliable source of information is a peer-reviewed academic journal article that presents
original research on a relevant topic, supported by valid methods and data, and cited by other experts in the
field. An example of an unreliable source of information is a blog post that expresses personal opinions on a
controversial topic, without providing any references or evidence, and that contradicts established facts or
Critical Reasoning
COMPLETED
2023/2024
, 1. What is the difference between deductive and inductive arguments? Give an example of each type.
- Deductive arguments are arguments that claim to establish their conclusions with certainty, based on the
logical relations between the premises and the conclusion. Inductive arguments are arguments that claim to
establish their conclusions with some degree of probability, based on the evidence or experience that
supports the premises. For example, a deductive argument is: "All humans are mortal. Socrates is a human.
Therefore, Socrates is mortal." An inductive argument is: "Most birds can fly. Tweety is a bird. Therefore,
Tweety can fly."
2. What is a fallacy? Name and explain three common fallacies in reasoning.
- A fallacy is a mistake in reasoning that renders an argument invalid, unsound, or weak. Some common
fallacies are:
- Ad hominem: attacking the person who makes an argument, rather than the argument itself.
- Begging the question: assuming what needs to be proven, or using circular reasoning.
- Post hoc ergo propter hoc: inferring causation from mere correlation, or assuming that because one event
follows another, the first event caused the second.
3. What is the principle of charity in critical thinking? Why is it important to apply it when evaluating
arguments?
- The principle of charity is the idea that we should interpret other people's arguments in the most reasonable
way possible, and avoid attributing to them irrational or illogical views. It is important to apply this
principle because it helps us to understand and engage with different perspectives, and to avoid straw man
arguments or misunderstandings.
4. What are some criteria for evaluating the quality of sources and evidence in critical reasoning? Give an
example of a reliable and an unreliable source of information.
- Some criteria for evaluating the quality of sources and evidence are:
- Relevance: how closely related the source or evidence is to the topic or question at hand.
- Accuracy: how factual, precise, and correct the source or evidence is, and whether it can be verified by
other sources.
- Authority: how credible, qualified, and trustworthy the source or evidence is, and whether it has any bias
or agenda.
- Currency: how up-to-date, timely, and recent the source or evidence is, and whether it reflects the current
state of knowledge or debate.
- An example of a reliable source of information is a peer-reviewed academic journal article that presents
original research on a relevant topic, supported by valid methods and data, and cited by other experts in the
field. An example of an unreliable source of information is a blog post that expresses personal opinions on a
controversial topic, without providing any references or evidence, and that contradicts established facts or
