GEN 499 WEEK 4 CRITICAL THINKING
COMPREHENSIVE TEST 2026 STUDY GUIDE
REVIEWED
◉ What is reasoning a combination of? Answer: A combination of
logic and evidence.
◉ What are the two different kinds of logic? Answer: Deductive and
inductive reasoning
◉ What is a fact? Answer: A state of affairs; a true statement
◉ What is an opinion? Answer: A belief
◉ "That's a matter of opinion," can mean: Answer: Opinions differ
(the facts remain unclear)
Not a matter of objective fact; entirely subjective (A matter of taste)
◉ If a claim conflicts with other claims we have good reason to
accept...? Answer: we have good grounds for doubting it.
,◉ If a claim conflicts with our background information, we have
good reason to...? Answer: doubt it
◉ What is background information? Answer: The huge collection of
very well supported beliefs that we all rely on to inform our actions
and choices.
◉ What does background information include...? Answer: - Basic
facts about everyday things.
- Beliefs based on very good evidence (including our own personal
observations and the statements of excellent authorities.)
- Strongly justified claims that we would regard as "common sense"
or "common knowledge."
◉ Is our background beliefs infallible? Answer: No
◉ When should we reexamine our background beliefs? Answer:
Whenever reasonable doubts are raised.
◉ What should we proportion our beliefs to? Answer: Evidence
◉ When is it not reasonable to believe a claim? Answer: When there
is no good reason for doing so.
, ◉ The more evidence a claim has in its favor... Answer: The stronger
our belief in it shall be
◉ Weak evidence for a claim warrants...? Answer: Weak belief
◉ Strong evidence warrants...? Answer: Strong belief
◉ A claim becomes more radical when it conflicts with...? Answer:
More and more background information
◉ The more radical a claim is...? Answer: The more we are justified
in skepticism.
◉ The bigger the claim...? Answer: The more powerful the evidence
for it must be to warrant our belief.
◉ What is an expert? Answer: Someone who is more knowledgeable
in a particular subject area or field than most others are.
◉ Experts are more likely to be right because...? Answer: (1) They
have access to more information on the subject than we do.
(2) They are better trained or more experienced at evaluating that
information than we are.
COMPREHENSIVE TEST 2026 STUDY GUIDE
REVIEWED
◉ What is reasoning a combination of? Answer: A combination of
logic and evidence.
◉ What are the two different kinds of logic? Answer: Deductive and
inductive reasoning
◉ What is a fact? Answer: A state of affairs; a true statement
◉ What is an opinion? Answer: A belief
◉ "That's a matter of opinion," can mean: Answer: Opinions differ
(the facts remain unclear)
Not a matter of objective fact; entirely subjective (A matter of taste)
◉ If a claim conflicts with other claims we have good reason to
accept...? Answer: we have good grounds for doubting it.
,◉ If a claim conflicts with our background information, we have
good reason to...? Answer: doubt it
◉ What is background information? Answer: The huge collection of
very well supported beliefs that we all rely on to inform our actions
and choices.
◉ What does background information include...? Answer: - Basic
facts about everyday things.
- Beliefs based on very good evidence (including our own personal
observations and the statements of excellent authorities.)
- Strongly justified claims that we would regard as "common sense"
or "common knowledge."
◉ Is our background beliefs infallible? Answer: No
◉ When should we reexamine our background beliefs? Answer:
Whenever reasonable doubts are raised.
◉ What should we proportion our beliefs to? Answer: Evidence
◉ When is it not reasonable to believe a claim? Answer: When there
is no good reason for doing so.
, ◉ The more evidence a claim has in its favor... Answer: The stronger
our belief in it shall be
◉ Weak evidence for a claim warrants...? Answer: Weak belief
◉ Strong evidence warrants...? Answer: Strong belief
◉ A claim becomes more radical when it conflicts with...? Answer:
More and more background information
◉ The more radical a claim is...? Answer: The more we are justified
in skepticism.
◉ The bigger the claim...? Answer: The more powerful the evidence
for it must be to warrant our belief.
◉ What is an expert? Answer: Someone who is more knowledgeable
in a particular subject area or field than most others are.
◉ Experts are more likely to be right because...? Answer: (1) They
have access to more information on the subject than we do.
(2) They are better trained or more experienced at evaluating that
information than we are.
