Critical Thinking Week one
LT1
● What is critical thinking ?
○ Systematic evaluation by rational standards
○ Operates according to rational standards
○ Argument with good reason= convincing
● Premise v. conclusion
○ Premise - indicators: because, since, for, whereas, in as much as
○ conclusion - indicators: so, therefore, hence,thus, so, accordingly, consequently
LT2
● Statements
○ A claim /preposition
■ Ex. the earth is round; the earth is flat
○ Claim that can be either right or wrong /true or false
■ Assumptions of bivalence - can’t be both true or false
○ Sentence structure can change= the truth value matters not actual sentences
■ Ex. Mars lies between Earth and Jupiter
● The Red Planet lies between the Earth and the largest planet in the
Solar System
● Express same proposition
○ Questions can be statements in disguise
■ Rhetorical question
○ Find conclusion 1st then work backwards
○ Look for indicators
LT3
● Every argument has 2 parts
○ Premise (Set)
○ Conclusion
● Good arguments succeed in the attempt to support conclusion
● Bad arguments are still arguments
○ Fail in attempts to support conclusion
● While Formulating an argument= ensure its well grounded; look from opposite
side
● While Evaluating an argument= make sure not to accept beliefs based on bad
arguments
● Deductive and inductive (valid)
○ Deductive argument
■ Very strong; the premises successfully provide reasons for
believing that conclusion MUST be true
LT1
● What is critical thinking ?
○ Systematic evaluation by rational standards
○ Operates according to rational standards
○ Argument with good reason= convincing
● Premise v. conclusion
○ Premise - indicators: because, since, for, whereas, in as much as
○ conclusion - indicators: so, therefore, hence,thus, so, accordingly, consequently
LT2
● Statements
○ A claim /preposition
■ Ex. the earth is round; the earth is flat
○ Claim that can be either right or wrong /true or false
■ Assumptions of bivalence - can’t be both true or false
○ Sentence structure can change= the truth value matters not actual sentences
■ Ex. Mars lies between Earth and Jupiter
● The Red Planet lies between the Earth and the largest planet in the
Solar System
● Express same proposition
○ Questions can be statements in disguise
■ Rhetorical question
○ Find conclusion 1st then work backwards
○ Look for indicators
LT3
● Every argument has 2 parts
○ Premise (Set)
○ Conclusion
● Good arguments succeed in the attempt to support conclusion
● Bad arguments are still arguments
○ Fail in attempts to support conclusion
● While Formulating an argument= ensure its well grounded; look from opposite
side
● While Evaluating an argument= make sure not to accept beliefs based on bad
arguments
● Deductive and inductive (valid)
○ Deductive argument
■ Very strong; the premises successfully provide reasons for
believing that conclusion MUST be true
