Concise Guide To Critical Thinking CH 1: Critical Thinking, Facts, and Feelings

statement

an assertion that is true or false

argument

combination of statements providing reasons for accepting another statement

Identify the conclusions and premises: 1] A. L. Jones used flawed reasoning in his letter yesterday praising this newspaper's decision to publish announcements of same-sex unions. [2] Mr. Jones asserts that same-sex unions are a fact of life and therefore should be acknowledged by the news media as a legitimate variation on social partnerships. [3] But the news media are not in the business of endorsing or validating lifestyles. [4] They're supposed to report on lifestyles, not bless them. [5] In addition, by validating same-sex unions or any other lifestyle, the media abandon their objectivity and become political partisans—which would destroy whatever respect people have for news outlets. [6] All of this shows that the news media—including this newspaper—should never (explicitly or implicitly) endorse lifestyles by announcing those lifestyles to the world.

conclusion: [6] All of this shows that the news media—including this newspaper—should never (explicitly or implicitly) endorse lifestyles by announcing those lifestyles to the world. premises: [3] But the news media are not in the business of endorsing or validating lifestyles. [5] In addition, by validating same-sex unions or any other lifestyle, the media abandon their objectivity and become political partisans—which would destroy whatever respect people have for news outlets.

explanations

tells us why or how something is the case

inference

the process of reasoning from a premise or premises to a conclusion based on those premises

common conclusion indicators

therefore thus which implies that consequently it follows that we can conclude that so hence it must be that as a result which means that ergo

Exercise 1.6 For each of the following passages, determine if there is an argument present. If so, identify the premises and the conclusion. *1. "[T]he Religious Right is not 'pro-family'. . . . Concerned parents realize that children are curious about how their bodies work and need accurate, age-appropriate information about the human reproductive system. Yet, thanks to Religious Right pressure, many public schools have replaced sex education with fear-based 'abstinence only' programs that insult young people's intelligence and give them virtually no useful information." [Rob Boston, Free Inquiry Magazine] *3. "Is there archaeological evidence for the [Biblical] Flood? If a universal Flood occurred between five and six thousand years ago, killing all humans except the eight on board the Ark, it would be abundantly clear in the archaeological record. Human history would be marked by an absolute break. We would see the devastation wrought by the catastrophe in terms of the destroyed physical remains of pre-Flood human settlements. . . . Unfortunately for the Flood enthusiasts, the destruction of all but eight of the world's people left no mark on the archaeology of human cultural evolution." [Kenneth L. Feder, Frauds, Myths, and Mysteries]

1. Argument. Conclusion: The Religious Right is not pro-family. Premise: Concerned parents realize that children are curious about how their body works and need accurate, age-appropriate information about the human reproductive system. Premise: Thanks to Religious Right pressure, many public schools have replaced sex education with fear-based "abstinence-only" programs that insult young people's intelligence and give them virtually no useful information. 3. Argument. Conclusion: There is no archeological evidence for the [biblical] Flood. Premise: If a universal Flood occurred between five and six thousand years ago, killing all humans except the eight on board the Ark, it would be abundantly clear in the archaeological record. Premise: The destruction of all but eight of the world's people left no mark on the archaeology of human cultural evolution.

Exercise 1.4 For each of the following passages indicate whether it constitutes an argument. For each argument specify both the conclusion and the premises. *1. Faster-than-light travel is not possible. It would violate a law of nature. *4. The flu epidemic on the East Coast is real. Government health officials say so. And I personally have read at least a dozen news stories that characterize the situation as a "flu epidemic." *7. "I am writing about the cost of concert tickets. I am outraged at how much ticket prices are increasing every year. A few years ago, one could attend a popular concert for a decent price. Now some musicians are asking as much as $200 to $300." [Letter to the editor, Buffalo News] *10. Stretched upon the dark silk night, bracelets of city lights glisten brightly.

1. Argument. Conclusion: Faster-than-light travel is not possible. Premise: Faster-than-light travel would violate a law of nature. 4. Argument. Conclusion: The flu epidemic on the East Coast is real. Premise: Government health officials say so. Premise: I personally have read at least a dozen news stories that characterize the situation as a "flu epidemic." 7. No argument. 10. No argument.

Exercise 1.3 For each of the following passages indicate whether it constitutes an argument. For each argument specify what the conclusion is. *1. René hates Julia, and she always upsets him, so he should avoid her. *4. Why do you think you have the right to park your car anywhere you please? *7. The Titanic sank, and no one came to save it. *11. If guns are outlawed, then only outlaws will have guns. Don't outlaw guns. *15. "Piercing car alarms have disturbed my walks, café meals or my sleep at least once during every day I have lived in the city; roughly 3,650 car alarms. Once, only once, was the wail a response to theft . . . Silent car alarms connect immediately to a security company, while the noisy ones are a problem, not a solution. They should be banned, finally." [Letter to the editor, New York Times]

1. Argument. Conclusion: He should avoid her. 4. No argument. 7. No argument. 11. Argument. Conclusion: Don't outlaw guns. 15. Argument. Conclusion: Noisy car alarms should be banned.

Exercise 1.2 For each of the following sentences, indicate whether it is or is not a statement. *1. Now that you're mayor of the city, do you still believe that the city government is a waste of time? *4. Do you think that I'm guilty? *7. The Vietnam War was a terrible mistake. *10. Are you doing your best for God and country?

1. No statement. 4. No statement. 7. Statement. 10. No statement.

Exercise 1.5 For each of the following conclusions, write at least two premises that can support it. Your proposed premises can be entirely imaginary. To concoct the premises, think of what kind of statement (if true) would convince you to believe the conclusion. *3. Every woman has the right to abort her fetus if she so chooses. *6. When it comes to animals, Vaughn doesn't know what he's talking about. *9. The Internet is the best tool that law enforcement officials have against terrorists. *12.Stranger Things is the greatest series Netflix has ever offered

3. Premise: Freedom of choice in all things is a basic moral right. Premise: Abortion is no different from scraping off a few cells from one's skin, and a woman certainly has the right to do that. 6. Premise: Vaughn has admitted that he knows nothing about animals. Premise: The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has declared Vaughn a dummy when it comes to animals. 9. Premise: The Internet has led to the capture of more terrorists than anything else. Premise: The US attorney general has asserted that the Internet is the best friend that antiterrorist teams have. 12. Premise: All the top TV critics agree that Stranger Things is the greatest series in TV history. Premise: I have compared Stranger Things to all other TV series and found that the show outshines them all.

What is critical thinking?

Critical thinking is the systematic evaluation or formulation of beliefs, or statements, by rational standards.

According to the text, what does it mean to say that critical thinking is done according to rational standards?

Critical thinking operates according to rational standards in that beliefs are judged by how well they are supported by reasons.

Does the following passage contain an argument? I couldn't disagree more with Olivia. She says that video games provoke young men to violence and other insensitive acts. But that's just not true

No

What does the term critical refer to in critical thinking?

The critical in critical thinking refers to the exercising of careful judgment and judicious evaluation.

indicator words

Words that frequently accompany arguments and signal that a premise or conclusion is present.

common premise indicators

because inviewof the fact given that seeing that as due to the fact that being that since assuming that for the reason that inasmuch as as indicated by for the reason being

Identify the conclusion and premises: [1] You have already said that you love me and that you can't imagine spending the rest of your life without me. [2] Once, you even tried to propose to me. [3] And now you claim that you need time to think about whether we should be married. [4] Well, everything that you've told me regarding our relationship has been a lie. [5] In some of your letters to a friend you admitted that you were misleading me. [6] You've been telling everyone that we are just friends, not lovers. [7] And worst of all, you've been secretly dating someone else. [8] Why are you doing this? [9] It's all been a farce, and I'm outta here.

conclusion: [4] Well, everything that you've told me regarding our relationship has been a lie. premises: [5] In some of your letters to a friend you admitted that you were misleading me. [6] You've been telling everyone that we are just friends, not lovers. [7] And worst of all, you've been secretly dating someone else.

Best advice to uncover/dissect arguments

find the conclusion first

conclusion

statement the premises are intended to support

premises

statements given in support of another statement