D265 - WGU - Critical Thinking - Reason and Evidence Well explained 2024.

PROPOSITIONS - ANSWERSAre statements that can be true or false NON-PROPOSITONS - ANSWERSAre sentences that are not statements about matters of fact or fiction. They do not make a claim that can be true or false. SIMPLE PROPOSITIONS - ANSWERSHave no internal logic structure, meaning whether they are true or false does not depend on whether a part of them is true or false. They are simply true or false on their own. (Example: Harry Potter wears glasses. The sky is blue.) COMPLEX PROPOSITIONS - ANSWERSHave internal logic structure, meaning they are composed of simple propositions. Whether they are true or false depends on whether their parts are true or false. (Example: The sky is blue, but it does not look blue to me right now. The cat ate the food, but he did not like it. The GDP of Canada is either $3 trillion or $12 trillion.) Words used to identify Independent Propositions - ANSWERSAND, OR, EITHER, BUT, IF, THEN. CONCLUSION INDICATORS - ANSWERSTHEREFORE, SO, IT FOLLOWS THAT, HENCE, THUS, ENTAILS THAT, WE MAY CONCLUDE THAT, IMPLIES THAT, WHEREFORE, AND AS A RESULT. PREMISE INDICATORS - ANSWERSBECAUSE, FOR, GIVEN THAT, AS, SINCE, AS INDICATED BY. DEDUCTIVE ARGUMENTS - ANSWERSArguments where the premises guarantee or necessitate the conclusion. -mathematical arguments, logical arguments, arguments from definition. INDUCTION ARGUMENTS - ANSWERSArguments where the premises make the conclusion probable. -analogies, authority, causal inferences, extrapolations, etc. INFERENCE TO THE BEST EXPLANATION OR ABDUCTION - ANSWERSArguments where the best available explanation is chosen as the correct explanation. FORMAL FALLACY - ANSWERSConcerns the structure of an argument INFORMAL FALLACY - ANSWERSConcerns the informational content of an argument A FORMAL FALLACY IS A TYPE OF - ANSWERSBad Argument Structure Which piece of information would be the most helpful to know in assessing the credibility of a news story? - ANSWERSWhether the name of the author and the publication are identified Which questions are most appropriate for evaluating the credibility of an information source? - ANSWERSWho funded it? & Does it try to get you to distrust other sources? While researching a topic on the internet, a student encounters two different websites, one of that looks more official than the other and includes tables, charts, and statistics, while the other does not. What is the line of reasoning this student should employ to determine which site is more credible? - ANSWERSIt is not feasible to determine which site is more credible from the information provided. In which way should an information source be approached if it is stating that it is the only source of real information and that other sources cannot be trusted? - ANSWERSSkeptically, because the source may lack credibility. PRINCIPLE OF CHARITY - ANSWERSThe principle of charity suggests we should try to understand ideas before criticizing them. Which of the following are reasons for applying the principle of charity? - ANSWERSIt is morally right to give others the benefit of the doubt. It allows for a clearer understanding of the issue. Smith is committed to the belief that technological advancement is always beneficial and thus never detrimental to human life. Smith reads a carefully written and sufficiently argued essay in which the author contends that the human adoption of any new technology involves both advantages and disadvantages to its adopters. Since Smith is a loyal technophile, Smith accepts the author's claims about the advantages of technology but rejects the author's claims about the disadvantages of technology. Which cognitive bias is Smith demonstrating? - ANSWERSConfirmation Bias CONFIRMATION BIAS - ANSWERSthe tendency to interpret new evidence as confirmation of one's existing beliefs or theories. COGNITIVE BIAS - ANSWERSa systematic thought process caused by the tendency of the human brain to simplify information processing through a filter of personal experience and preferences. HEURISTICS - ANSWERSare practical rules of thumb that manifest as mental shortcuts in judgment and decision-making. Which sentence reflects strong critical thinking? - ANSWERS"In any event, our purpose is to better understand the relevant issues so that we may make an informed decision on the topic." Since inflation is rising rapidly, and because we are approaching the point at which reversal is not possible, it follows that we need to institute a new economic policy, and we need to act quickly.Which two statements contain premises of the given argument? - ANSWERSWe are approaching the point at which reversal is not possible. & Inflation is rising rapidly. "Products manufactured in our country are the best because we make the best automobiles," declared Kennedy. Which two descriptors best characterize Kennedy's comments? - ANSWERSAn inference & A weak argument & A proposition Which two sentences are propositions? - ANSWERSLending helps stimulate capital investment. & A strong economy is vital to national security. I have grown bored since last week. Which descriptor accurately characterizes this sentence? - ANSWERSProposition People should pay their taxes since paying taxes is the right thing to do. Which type of logic error is this an example of? - ANSWERSBegging the question One should not speed because speeding is wrong.Which type of logic error is this an example of? - ANSWERSBegging the question My opponent argues that kangaroos can hop because hopping is something that kangaroos are able to do. Since my opponent has committed the fallacy of begging the question, one must infer that their conclusion is false, and that kangaroos cannot hop. Which type of logic error is this an example of? - ANSWERSThe fallacy fallacy If Bo is kind, then Bo is wealthy. Bo is wealthy. Therefore, Bo is kind. This is an example of which type of logic error? - ANSWERSAffirming the consequent Which type of logic error is the following argument an example of? "My opponents argue that all giraffes have long necks because anyone who disagrees is a fool. Since my opponents are guilty of the ad hominem fallacy, we must infer that their conclusion is false, and that giraffes do not have long necks." - ANSWERSThe fallacy fallacy Usually when home team fans come out smiling and celebrating at the conclusion of a match, that means the home team won. At the conclusion of the match, many home team fans came out smiling and celebrating. I, therefore, concluded that the home team won. Which term describes this argument? - ANSWERSInductive I have seen the sun rise every day for many years. I, therefore, conclude that the sun will rise again tomorrow. Which term describes this argument? - ANSWERSCogent All bears are wild. Smokey is a bear. Therefore, Smokey is wild. Which term describes the argument? - ANSWERSDeductive Which statement is accurate regarding bias in information sources? - ANSWERSAll sources have bias, but some are more credible than others. A news outlet issues a correction and an apology for incorrect information it published. In the absence of further information, what does this news outlet's action suggest about its credibility? - ANSWERSThe source appears credible because it is concerned with accuracy. Which two characterizations are most accurate regarding the credibility of information sources? - ANSWERSThe credibility of sources spans a spectrum. & Sources may lack credibility for a variety of reasons. Why is identifying the author essential in determining a source's credibility? - ANSWERSIt helps to determine if the author has relevant expertise. What is a logical step for critical thinkers to take if they are uncertain about the reliability of a source? - ANSWERSVerify the reliability of a source by cross-referencing with additional source materials. Which statement represents a logical reaction to a source claiming to be free from bias? - ANSWERS"This can't be true because all sources contain bias." How could podcasts, newscasts, and talk radio be less biased? - ANSWERSBy featuring experts who offer contrary viewpoints What are two ways in which the internet has complicated a critical thinking approach to finding reliable sources? - ANSWERSSources are more easily located yet not consistently credible. & Sources are more easily located but still need to be verified. Which factor should people focus on when evaluating internet-based information sources for credibility? - ANSWERSContent Why should people read other articles published by the same source when they locate an article of interest on the internet? - ANSWERSTo determine whether the source publishes sensationalized or overtly biased stories A person encounters an internet source with a headline of "This is NOT a hoax!" Which conclusion would be reasonable for this person to make? - ANSWERSThe content is sensationalized. For which two reasons do critical thinkers follow the principle of charity? - ANSWERSTo discover the truth & To present a more convincing argument Which two descriptions accurately characterize the nature of human beliefs? - ANSWERSSubject to bias & Sometimes irrational Why can heuristics be advantageous? - ANSWERSThey enable individuals to make quick decisions. An individual read a report that professional athletes spend an average of thirty hours per week exercising at the gym. Based on this report, the individual concludes that people who belong to a gym spend an average of thirty hours per week exercising. Which concept does this conclusion illustrate? - ANSWERSSelection bias & Anchoring Quinn favors strict industry regulations. Robin disagrees because they would increase costs for many businesses and stifle the economy. Robin does, however, understand and acknowledge that industrial operations have environmental and social impacts and that regulatory measures may help prevent unnecessary harm. Which argumentation concept does this passage illustrate? - ANSWERSThe principle of charity & Heuristics Which argumentation concept does the following passage illustrate? "Some people point to the large number of unidentified flying object sightings and the discovery of many earth-like planets in the universe as evidence of extraterrestrial life. I don't take this evidence seriously, though, because I do not believe in extraterrestrial life." - ANSWERSConfirmation bias A person is buying a car. The car salesperson initially quotes a base price. The buyer relies on this initial quote to make a purchasing decision despite the subsequent addition of options that significantly increase the final price. Which cognitive bias is the buyer exhibiting? - ANSWERSAnchoring and adjustment A university student surveys incoming freshmen to understand how students at the university feel about a proposed tuition increase. Which statements are true regarding this statistical sample? - ANSWERSIt is not representative. & It is not random. Alex notices that many of the news articles, blogs, social media posts, and other information she sees on the internet reinforce her belief that the government is conspiring against her. Based on this