WGU D265 Critical Thinking Study Guide
with Complete Solutions
1. Identify the eight Elements of Reasoning and describe
how they are employed They are also called the: parts of
thinking or fundamental structures of thought. The elements of
reasoning exist in relation to each other. The distinctions between
them are not absolute but relative.
Information
Purposes We use information whenever we reason.
Purpose is the goal or objective of Information takes many forms: statistical
reasoning. It describes the desired data, our observations, others'
outcome or intent (e.g., winning an testimony, etc. In thinking critically
argument, grasping a complex about an issue, we must determine what
concept, justifying one's behavior). information is relevant to it. We rely on
information to direct us to a supportable
conclusion.
Concepts
Reasoning takes form in concepts. These
Questions
All reasoning is directed at some are general categories or ideas by which
question. In any reasoning context, the we interpret or classify information used
critical thinker should ask: What in our thinking. When we think about
question needs to be answered? What anything (for example, a new law), we
problem needs to be solved? What reason based on some concept of that
issue needs to be resolved? thing (for example, its fairness or
unfairness). The concept, not the thing
itself, is what we hold in our mind as our
understanding of it.
Inferences
Assumptions
In reasoning, we sometimes begin with
Reasoning with our assumptions.
something we know (or at least, which we
These encompass everything we take
believe we know) and figure out
for granted as true in order to figure
something else based on it. When we do
out something else. Something we
so, we make inferences. To make
presuppose. We take its truth for
inferences is to come to conclusions.
granted. Because we do, we don't
Inferences are influenced heavily by their
question it. Assumptions are part of
point of view and the assumptions they
our beliefs, which we use to interpret
have made.
the world around us. Our assumptions
—good or bad— are the basis for our
inferences
Implications Points of View
Reasoning delivers us to a position or Reasoning always takes place within
viewpoint about something. some point of view. It has some
The implications of our reasoning are comprehensive focus or orientation. The
what extend beyond the position we same issue considered
, reach. They form the answer to the from different points of view may appear
question, "What follows from our not at
reasoning?" Distinguishing between all the same.
what a situation actually implies
and what we may infer from it is
among the
most important critical thinking skills.
Critical thinkers strive to infer only
what is implied in a situation—no more
or less.
with Complete Solutions
1. Identify the eight Elements of Reasoning and describe
how they are employed They are also called the: parts of
thinking or fundamental structures of thought. The elements of
reasoning exist in relation to each other. The distinctions between
them are not absolute but relative.
Information
Purposes We use information whenever we reason.
Purpose is the goal or objective of Information takes many forms: statistical
reasoning. It describes the desired data, our observations, others'
outcome or intent (e.g., winning an testimony, etc. In thinking critically
argument, grasping a complex about an issue, we must determine what
concept, justifying one's behavior). information is relevant to it. We rely on
information to direct us to a supportable
conclusion.
Concepts
Reasoning takes form in concepts. These
Questions
All reasoning is directed at some are general categories or ideas by which
question. In any reasoning context, the we interpret or classify information used
critical thinker should ask: What in our thinking. When we think about
question needs to be answered? What anything (for example, a new law), we
problem needs to be solved? What reason based on some concept of that
issue needs to be resolved? thing (for example, its fairness or
unfairness). The concept, not the thing
itself, is what we hold in our mind as our
understanding of it.
Inferences
Assumptions
In reasoning, we sometimes begin with
Reasoning with our assumptions.
something we know (or at least, which we
These encompass everything we take
believe we know) and figure out
for granted as true in order to figure
something else based on it. When we do
out something else. Something we
so, we make inferences. To make
presuppose. We take its truth for
inferences is to come to conclusions.
granted. Because we do, we don't
Inferences are influenced heavily by their
question it. Assumptions are part of
point of view and the assumptions they
our beliefs, which we use to interpret
have made.
the world around us. Our assumptions
—good or bad— are the basis for our
inferences
Implications Points of View
Reasoning delivers us to a position or Reasoning always takes place within
viewpoint about something. some point of view. It has some
The implications of our reasoning are comprehensive focus or orientation. The
what extend beyond the position we same issue considered
, reach. They form the answer to the from different points of view may appear
question, "What follows from our not at
reasoning?" Distinguishing between all the same.
what a situation actually implies
and what we may infer from it is
among the
most important critical thinking skills.
Critical thinkers strive to infer only
what is implied in a situation—no more
or less.
