D265 - WGU - Critical Thinking - Reason and Evidence

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Critical Thinking: Reason and Eviden...

124 terms MsDaniLaniPreview Integrated Physical Sciences - C165...Teacher 26 terms vclemen05Preview FS Manager 94 terms avg_teePreview WGU C 173 term rho PROPOSITIONSAre statements that can be true or false Ex. Snow is a white.NON-PROPOSITONSAre sentences that do not make a claim that can be true or false.Ex. Close the door SIMPLE PROPOSITIONSThey are simply true or false on their own. (Example: Harry Potter wears glasses.The sky is blue.) COMPLEX PROPOSITIONSAre 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 (single)Independent Propositions in a sentence/statement

AND, OR, EITHER, BUT, IF, THEN.

ArgumentA statement put forth and supported by evidence. (premises and conclusion PREMISE INDICATORS (Argument)BECAUSE, FOR, GIVEN THAT, AS, SINCE, AS INDICATED BY.CONCLUSION INDICATORS(Argument)THEREFORE, SO, IT FOLLOWS THAT, HENCE, THUS, ENTAILS THAT, WE MAY

CONCLUDE THAT, IMPLIES THAT, WHEREFORE, AND AS A RESULT.

DEDUCTIVE ARGUMENTSestablishes a conclusion to be true by stating two or more true premises that lead to the conclusion being true Ex If A and B are true, then C must also be true INDUCTION ARGUMENTSArguments where the premises make the conclusion probable.-analogies, authority, causal inferences, extrapolations, etc.

INFERENCE TO THE BEST EXPLANATION OR

ABDUCTION

Arguments where the best available explanation is chosen as the correct explanation.FORMAL FALLACYError in the structure or the argument Argument where the conclusions do not follow from the premises.When it's not raining the road is not slippery.INFORMAL FALLACYArgument where the content of the premises is false Concerns the informational content of an argument.Premise: All Arabs are Muslims. Premise: All Iranians are Muslims. Conclusion: All Iranians are Arabs A FORMAL FALLACY IS A TYPE OFBad Argument Structure Which piece of information would be the most helpful to know in assessing the credibility of a news story?Whether the name of the author and the publication are identified Which questions are most appropriate for evaluating the credibility of an information source?Who 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?It 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?Skeptically, because the source may lack credibility.PRINCIPLE OF CHARITYThe 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?It is morally right to give others the benefit of the doubt.It allows for a clearer understanding of the issue.CONFIRMATION BIASthe tendency to interpret new evidence as confirmation of one's existing beliefs or theories.

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.Confirmation Bias COGNITIVE BIASa systematic thought process caused by the tendency of the human brain to simplify information processing through a filter of personal experience and preferences.Coping mechanism HEURISTICSare practical rules of thumb that manifest as mental shortcuts in judgment and decision-making.Which sentence reflects strong critical thinking? "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?We 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?An inference & A weak argument & A proposition Which two sentences are propositions?Lending 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?Proposition People should pay their taxes since paying taxes is the right thing to do. Which type of logic error is this an example of?Begging the question One should not speed because speeding is wrong.Which type of logic error is this an example of?Begging 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?The 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?Affirming 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." The 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?Inductive 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?Cogent All bears are wild. Smokey is a bear. Therefore, Smokey is wild. Which term describes the argument?Deductive Which statement is accurate regarding bias in information sources?All 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?The source appears credible because it is concerned with accuracy.Which two characterizations are most accurate regarding the credibility of information sources?The 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?It 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?Verify 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?"This can't be true because all sources contain bias."