Critical Thinking Unit 1- Language of Reasoning

Critical Thinking Unit 1- Language of Reasoning

1. INTRODUCTION TO CRITICAL THINKING

2. AN ARGUMENT

   • An argument is an attempt to persuade an individual to accept a conculsion
   • The most basic argument will feature a conclusion and a reason to support the concultion
     • EXAMPLE: "Travelling by train is very expensive (reason). You should get the bus (conclusion).

3. IDENTIFYING REASONS AND CONCLUSIONS

   • Reasons
     • because...
     • such as...
     • due to...
     • since...
   • Conclusions
     • therefore...
     • so...
     • consequently...
     • thus...
     • it follows that...
   • NOTE: Not all elements include with these indicators.

4. COUNTER ARGUMENTS AND COUNTER-ASSERTIONS

   • Counter Aurguments
     • An argument which goes against the conclusion of the main argument
       • Usually used to dismiss the counter argument and further support their own argument
     • EXAMPLE: If a main conclusion is "Money should be invested in protecting pandas." A counter argument could be "...Money should not be spent protecting pandas (counter conclusion) as they are a lost cause and will inevitably become extinct (counter reason).
   • Counter Assertions
     • A reason which would support a conclusion that is opposed to the writers own main conclusion
     • Won't include a counter conclusion like a counter argument
     • EXAMPLE: "It is commonly thought that..." then provide a reason against this counter-assertion

5. HYPOTHETICAL REASONING

   • A predictive element to support a conclusion
     • Known as "hypothetical claims"
   • EXAMPLE: "If it rains today, we will get wet (hypothetical reason). The children hate getting wet (Reason), so we should stay at home (conclusion).

6. ASSUMPTIONS

   • An unstated reason which would need to be accepted to accept the conclusion
   • EXAMPLE: "The office has been forced open (reason 1). Ethan has not turned up this morning (reason 2). *THERE WAS MONEY IN THE SAFE (ASSUMPTION)* Ethan stole the money (conclusion).

7. ASSESSING THE LINK BETWEEN REASONS AND CONCLUSIONS

   • Is the reason relevant the conclusion?
   • Does the reason make a difference to the conclusion?
   • Would other evidence (not in the argument) make a difference to the conclusion?

8. EVIDENCE AND EXAMPLES

   • Evidence is information used to support a reason which then supports a conclusion
     • Statistics
     • Factual claims
     • Images
     • Personal observations
     • Statements from sources
   • Examples are specific forms of evidence that can develop a reason and support a conclusion
     • "Such as..."
   • Evaluating evidence
     • Is the evidence representative?
     • Is the evidence directly relevant?
     • Is the evidence ambiguous?