Critical Thinking Quiz #1
Denial
...
2nd approach to faith and reasoning
1) Fideism-the belief that the divine is revealed through faith and does not require reason.
What are the 4 factors that shape our ability to think critically and make effective life decisions?
1) our stage of cognitive development 2) the possession of good analytical communication 3) research skills 4) characteristics as open-mindedness, flexibility, and creativity.
2nd approach to faith and reasoning
2) Rationalism- The belief that religion should be consistent with reason and evidence.
Watch out when things get very personal. Beware of the urge to distort your thinking to save face. Be alert to ways that critical thinking can be undermined. Ensure that nothing has been left out. Avoid selective attention (confirmation bias) Look for opposing evidence.
6 Antidotes for Self-interested Thinking
personal freedom
A consequence of not thinking critically is a loss of ____ ____. If you passively accept beliefs that have been handed to you by your family and your culture, then those beliefs are not really yours. If they are not really yours, and you let them guide your choices and actions, then they?not you?are in charge of your life. Your beliefs are yours only if you critically examine them for yourself to see if they are supported by good reasons.
Argument
A group of statements in which some of them (the premises) are intended to support another of them (the conclusion).
Assertions (Claims)
A list of ____ does not constitute an argument. (Because they do not provide any reasons for acceptance)
Group Thinking
A pop culture example that illustrates this psychological obstacle to critical thinking is the Borg, a science fiction scenario demonstrating the danger of the "collective consciousness." Worries about this issue are often popularized in the media as concerns over "cults." -everyone is susceptible to this
Premise
A statement given in support of another statement.
Conclusion
A statement that premises are used to support.
inference
An argument involves an ____ which means that there is a logical connection between the premises and the conclusion.
statement
An assertion that something is or is not the case;"A statement is a declarative sentence that is either true or false."
1.If you passively accept beliefs that have been handed to you by your family and your culture, then those beliefs are not really yours. 2. If they are not really yours, and you let them guide your choices and actions, then they—not you—are in charge of your life. 3. Your beliefs are yours only if you critically examine them for yourself to see if they are supported by good reasons. 4. A consequence of not thinking critically is a loss of personal freedom. *1-3 =premises *4=conclusion
Analyze the following argument and put it into Standard Form. A consequence of not thinking critically is a loss of personal freedom. If you passively accept beliefs that have been handed to you by your family and your culture, then those beliefs are not really yours. If they are not really yours, and you let them guide your choices and actions, then they—not you—are in charge of your life. Your beliefs are yours only if you critically examine them for yourself to see if they are supported by good reasons.
Conclusion: sentence 3 Premise 1: sentence 5 Premise 2: sentence 6
Analyze this Argument: [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 are 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.
premise, conclusion
Analyze this argument: Because banning assault rifles violates a constitutional right, the U.S. government should not ban assault rifles. Banning assault rifles violates a constitutional right.=_____ the U.S. government should not ban assault rifles.=_____
Emotional Negative effects on CT
Anger and fear
proportion belief to the strength of the evidence.
Antidote for Group Thinking
explanation, argument
Arguments vs. Explanations Sometimes people confuse arguments with explanations. But there is a difference between them: An ____ tells us why or how something is the case. An ____ gives us reasons for believing that something is the case.
Requirements of Critical Thinking (C.S. PEIRCE)
Awareness (metacognition) Practice Motivation
indicator
BEWARE: ____ words are not necessary: a passage might be an argument even if there are not any of these words.
Idols of the Theater
Bacon's term for the inhibition of objective inquiry that results when one accepts dogma, tradition, or authority ***there are idols which have crept into men's minds from the various dogmas of peculiar systems of philosophy, and also from the perverted rules of demonstration. For we regard all the systems of philosophy hitherto received or imagined, as so many plays brought out and performed, creating fictitious and theatrical worlds. Nor do we speak only of the present systems, or of the philosophy and sects of the ancients, since numerous other plays of a similar nature can be still composed and made to agree with each other, the causes of the most opposite errors being generally the same. Nor, again, do we allude merely to general systems, but also to many elements and axioms of sciences, which have become inveterate by tradition, implicit credence, and neglect. We must, however, discuss each species of idols more fully and distinctly, in order to guard the human understanding against them.
Idols of the Marketplace
Bacon. term for error that results when one accepts the traditional meanings of words used to describe them. ***There are also idols formed by the reciprocal intercourse and society of man with man, which we call idols of the ------, from the commerce and association of men with each other. For men converse by means of language; but words are formed at the will of the generality; and there arises from a bad and unapt formation of words a wonderful obstruction to the mind. Nor can the definitions and explanations, with which learned men are wont to guard and protect themselves in some instances, afford a complete remedy: words still manifestly force the understanding, throw every thing into confusion, and lead mankind into vain and innumerable controversies and fallacies.
Critical Thinking is not...
C.T. is not simply a matter of asserting our opinions on issues.
3rd approach to faith and reasoning
Critical rationalism- belief that faith is based on direct revelation of God and that there should be no logical inconsistencies between revelation and reason.
Objection to Argument that Critical thinking undermines our creativity.
Critical thinking actually enhances and perfects creative thinking.
Objection to Argument that Critical thinking can undermine our emotions.
Critical thinking actually helps to clarify our emotions.
systematic
Critical thinking is _____ because it involves distinct procedures and methods.
Thinking Slow and Fast (2011)
Daniel Kahneman (b. 1934), one of the most famous researchers in the area and winner of the 2002 Nobel Prize in Economic Research, has recently published ___________ which summarizes over three decades of research, much of it done in collaboration with his colleague Amos Tversky (1937-1996). -His work is an invaluable resource for those who are serious about critical thinking.
Aims of Critical Thinking (C.S. PEIRCE)
Detect errors in our thinking. Restrain and curb distorting feelings and attitudes. Cultivate an objective view.
Over the past several decades psychological research has revealed that human beings are far from being Aristotle's "rational animal." In fact, human cognition appears to be flawed and biased in countless and surprising ways. ***NO
Do human beings think critical most of the time and avoid psychological and philosophical obstacles?
Characteristics of a good Critical thinker
Good analytical skills, effective communication skills, well informed and possess good research skills, be flexible and able to tolerate ambiguity and uncertainty, adopt a position of open-minded skepticism, be a creative problem solver, be attentive, mindful, and intellectually curious, engage in collaborative learning.
Critical thinking requires _____ rather than simply WHAT to think
HOW
Questions,Commands,Proposals
Have no truth value: ____: -Ex: Is Eric Clapton a musician? _____: -EX: Play that guitar! _____: -Ex: Let's play some music.
Statements
Have truth value. Ex:Eric Clapton is musician (True). Eric Clapton is a moose (False).
Stage 3: Commitment
I should not just blindly follow or oppose authority. I need to orient myself in an uncertain world and make a decision or commitment to a position that is based on evidence and well-reasoned arguments.
Sir Francis Bacon's "Idols of the Mind Theories" (1561-1626)
Idols of the Tribe Idols of the Cave Idols of the Marketplace Idols of the Theater
Struggling
It is appropriate to struggle with a difficult issue before deciding about it, but some people get too caught up in the minute details that nothing gets accomplished.
Idols of the Cave (Den)
Local prejudices or strongly preferred hypotheses or theories that interfere with objective responses to data ****are those of each individual. For everybody (in addition to the errors common to the race of man) has his own individual den or cavern, which intercepts and corrupts the light of nature; either from his own peculiar and singular disposition, or from his education and intercourse with others, or from his reading, and the authority acquired by those whom he reverences and admires, or from the different impressions produced on the mind, as it happens to be preoccupied and predisposed, or equable and tranquil, and the like: so that the spirit of man (according to its several dispositions) is variable, confused, and as it were actuated by chance; and Heraclitus said well that men search for knowledge in lesser worlds, and not in the greater or common world.
The unexamined life is not worth living
Socrates's most famous quote, Interpretation: Examine yourself and your life, the ability to question, following the same patterns. (Plato)
Accepting a claim solely on the grounds that it advances, or coincides with, our interests.
Symptom of Self-interested Thinking
Argument Analysis
The Basic Steps of _________. Step I: Find the conclusion. Step II: Locate and number the premises. Note that the premises and/or conclusion can be disguised as a question. Note that premises and/or the conclusion might be missing!
reasons
The premises are statements that provide ___ for accepting the conclusion.
The war on terrorism must include a massive strike on nation X. (At the beginning of the sentence here)
The war on terrorism must include a massive strike on nation X because without this intervention, terrorists cannot be defeated. They will always be able to find safe haven and support in the X regime. Even if terrorists are scattered around the world, support from nation X will increase their chances of surviving and launching new attacks. What is the conclusion?
Objection to argument that Critical thinking is just cynical faultfinding.
The word "critical" here means "exercising" or involving careful judgment or judicious evaluation.? Like anything else, people can misuse a good thing.
Stage 1: DUALISM:
There are right and wrong answers. Authorities know the right answers; those who don't are frauds. If I work hard and learn everything they say, I too will know the right answers.
beliefs
To critically examine your _____ is to critically examine your life, for these measure define your life.
Ignorance
We are ignorant about an issue simply because the information about it is not available to us. Sometimes we just don't want to know. It's a resistance when we intentionally avoid learning about a particular issue.
Distractions
We distract our minds with TV, phones, internet, etc, or just overeat instead of examining the facts
TO BE A GOOD CRITICAL THINKER YOU MUST
We need to keep an OPEN mind at all times, even when it's about ourselves. We need to put ourselves in others' shoes. We need to analyze all positions and research information. We can't be affected by peer pressure. We need to problem solve and communicate well.
Self-Interested Thinking
What psychological obstacle to critical thinking does this Arthur Schopenhauer quote describe? "Most men are so thoroughly subjective that nothing really interests them but themselves. They always think of their own case as soon as ever any remark is made, and their whole attention is engrossed and absorbed by the merest chance reference to anything which affects them personally, be it never so remote: with the result that they have no power left for forming an objective view of things, should the conversation take that turn; neither can they admit any validity in arguments which tell against their interest or their vanity."
Group Thinking
What psychological obstacle to critical thinking does this statement describe? "Resistance is futile..." But not if you study critical thinking!
Stage 2: RELATIVISM:
When the authorities don't have the right answers, everyone has a right to his or her own opinion; there are no right or wrong answers. In some cases, authorities don't give me the right ans wers; instead they want me to think about things in a certain way and support
1)Argument 2)Explanation
Which of the following is an argument? Which one is an explanation? 1) Adam stole the money, for three people saw him do it. 2) Adam stole the money because he needed it to buy food.
Because without this intervention, terrorists cannot be defeated. They will always be able to find safe haven and support in the X regime. Even if terrorists are scattered around the world, support from nation X will increase their chances of surviving and launching new attacks.
[Conclusion] The war on terrorism must include a massive strike on nation X because without this intervention, terrorists cannot be defeated. They will always be able to find safe haven and support in the X regime. Even if terrorists are scattered around the world, support from nation X will increase their chances of surviving and launching new attacks. What are the premises?
Critical Thinking
____ ____ matters because our lives are defined by our actions and choices, and our actions and choices are guided by our thinking. It helps guide us toward beliefs that are worthy of acceptance, that can help us be successful in life, however we define success.
philosophical
_____=hindrances that occur because of what we think. Subjective Relativism Social Relativism Philosophical Skepticism
psychological
________ =hindrances that arise because of how we think. Self-Interested Thinking Group Thinking
Define Opinion
a belief based solely on personal feelings rather than on reason or facts.
Critical Thinking
a collection of skills we use every day that are necessary for our full intellectual and personal development. The systematic evaluation or formulation of beliefs, or statements, by rational standards.
Democracy
a form of government in which the highest power in the state is invested in the people and exercised directly by them or, as is generally the case in modern democracies, by their elected officials.
Method of doubt
a method of critical analysis in which we put aside our preconceive d ideas and beliefs and begin from a position of skepticism.
Agnostic
a person who believes that the existence of God is ultimately unknowable.
Atheist
a person who does not believe in the existence of a personal God.
Cognitive dissonance:
a sense of disorientation which occurs in situations where new ideas directly conflict with a person's worldview.
Social dissonance:
a sense of disorientation which occurs when the social behavior and norms of others conflicts with a person's worldview.
Confirmation bias:
at the dualistic stage of research, seeking out only evidence that supports your view and dismissing evidence that contradicts it.
Barriers to CT
avoidance anger clichés denial ignorance conformity struggling distractions
Some premise indicator words
because, since, in view of the fact, given that, for the reason that, due to the fact that.
Faith
belief, trust, and obedience to a religious deity.
Rational standards
beliefs are judged by how well they are supported by reasons also known as ______.
Emotional positive effects on CT
empathy, moral indignation or outrage, love ,happiness, guilt. Emotion can motivate us to correct past mistakes.
Three levels of Critical Thinking
experience interpretation analysis
Idols of the Tribe
fallacies in thinking due to human nature, victims of nature, only see what they want to see ***inherent in human nature, and the very tribe or race of man. For man's sense is falsely asserted to be the standard of things. On the contrary, all the perceptions, both of the senses and the mind, bear reference to man, and not to the universe, and the human mind resembles those uneven mirrors, which impart their own properties to different objects, from which rays are emitted, and distort and disfigure them.
Conformity
fear you won't be accepted by peers if you disagree with them. Others conform because they don't have a point of view of their own on an issue.
Avoidance
hanging out with only people that agree with you
Idols of the Mind
introduced by Bacon as problem of knowledge, things that give us false knowledge
Doublethink:
involves holding two contradictory views at the same time and believing both to be true.
Areas in which critical thinking provides empowerment
learning and exploring; defense against error, manipulation, and prejudice; and self-discovery.
Method of belief
method of critical analysis in which we suspend our doubts and biases and remain genuinely open to what people with opposing views are saying.
An empathetic person is...
more flexible and open to others' perspectives and is motivated to use critical analysis, important skills in formulating a satisfactory logical argument regarding a plan of action.
Kinds of Group Thinking
peer pressure appeal to the masses (appeal to popularity), appeal to common practice (prejudice, bias, racism) stereotyping
Emotion alerts us to...
problems and to other people's perspectives.
Cliches
respond with "don't force your views on me," "It's all relative," "To each his own," "Things always work out for the best," "I have a right to my own opinion,"
Anger
respond with glares, threats, physical violence, gang activity, or even war
Narrow-mindedness:
rigid beliefs that interfere with critical analysis of our world views.
Simple Statements
statements that have no other statements as a component. • Example: "Eric Clapton plays the guitar."
Empathy
the ability to enter into and understand the experiences and emotions of others, can also alert us to oppression, as well as enhance our personal relationships by making us better listeners and communicators
Critical Thinking involves....
the application of the rules of logic as well as gathering evidence, evaluating it, and coming up with a plan of action.
(Type of narrow-mindedness) ETHNOCENTRISM
the belief in the inherent superiority of one's own group and culture is characterized by suspicion and a lack of understanding about other cultures. (make decisions on the basis of stereotypes).
(Type of narrow-mindedness) ANTHROPOCENTRISM
the belief that humans are the central or most significant entity of the universe can blind people, including scientists, to the capabilities of other animals. (animals and others exist not in their own right, but for humans).
(Type of narrow-mindedness) EGOCENTRISM
the belief that the self or individual is the center of all things. (and no regard for other's interests and thoughts).
Define Logic
the study of the methods and principles used to distinguish correct or good arguments from poor arguments.
Some conclusion indicator words
therefore, thus, so, consequently, it follows that, we can conclude that, ergo, hence.
(Type of narrow-mindedness) ABSOLUTISM
thinking authority provides us with the "absolutely correct knowledge" or thinking there's no other way.
Evaluation and formulation
used to assess existing beliefs and devise new ones.
Conditionals (IF...THEN)
• Conditionals consist of more than one statement joined by "if...then" as the main operator. • Example: "If Fido is a collie, then Fido is a dog." • The statement after "if" is called the antecedent-Here it is "Fido is a collie." • The statement after "then" is called the consequent-Here it is "Fido is a dog." • A conditional is false if its antecedent is true and its consequent is false; otherwise it is true. Typical Variations • "Fido is a dog IF Fido is a collie." • "GIVEN THAT Fido is a collie,THEN Fido is a dog." • "Fido is a dog GIVEN THAT Fido is a collie." • "Fido is a collie ONLY IF Fido is a dog." ("only if" introduces the consequent) • "Fido's begin a collie IS A SUFFICIENT CONDITION for Fido's being a dog." • "Fido's being s dog IS A NECESSARY CONDITION FOR Fido's being a collie."
Conjunctions (AND)
• Conjunctions consist of more than one statement joined by "and" as the main operator. • Example: "Eric Clapton plays the guitar and Buddha doesn't play the guitar." • A conjunction is true if both conjuncts are true; otherwise, it is false. Typical Variations • "Eric Clapton plays the guitar BUT Buddha doesn't play the guitar." • "ALTHOUGH Eric Clapton plays the guitar, Buddha doesn't play the guitar." • "Eric Clapton plays the guitar, nevertheless Buddha doesn't play the guitar." • "WHILE Eric Clapton does play the guitar, Buddha doesn't play the guitar."
Disjunctions (OR)
• Disjunctions consist of more than one statement joined by "or" as the main operator. • Example: "Buddha will pass logic or he will attain Nirvana (or both)" (Inclusive Disjunction) • A disjunction is false if both its disjuncts are false; otherwise it is true. Typical Variations • "Buddha will pass logic AND/OR he will attain Nirvana." • "EITHER Buddha will pass logic OR he will attain Nirvana."
Negations (NOT)
• Negations are compound statements: they have at least one simple statement as a component. • Example: "It is not the case that Buddha plays the guitar." • A negation has the opposite truth value of the statement negated. Typical Variations • "Buddha DOESN'T play the guitar." • "IT IS FALSE THAT Buddha plays the guitar." • "IT IS NOT TRUE THAT Buddha plays the guitar."
