Critical Thinking Midterm Study Guide

Intellectual standard: free from errors or distortions, true

Accuracy

A list of statements, one of which is the conclusion and the others are the premises or assumptions of the argument.

Argument

Element of thought: presuppositions, axioms, taking for granted

Assumptions

Intellectual standard: encompassing multiple viewpoints

Breadth

Analyze/synthesize/evaluate the tension between truth and experiences as we pursue wisdom through a Biblical worldview.

Christ-centered critical thinking

Intellectual standard: understandable, the meaning can be grasped

Clarity

9 Intellectual standards:

Clarity, accuracy, precision, relevance, depth, breadth, logic, significance, and fairness

Strong reasoning and all premises are true

Cogent

the grace exercised on every single person.

Common grace

Element of thought: theories, definitions, laws, principles, models

Concepts

Inferences drawn from the evidence and premises

Conclusion

Intellectual trait/virtue: Am I willing to follow the evidence and change my position when the evidence shows me that my position was incorrect?

Confidence in reason

Interpretive journey step: How does the theological principles fit with the rest of the bible?

Consult the Biblical map

What are the 4 lenses for explaining the Christian World View?

Creation, Fall, Grace, Glory

What lenses happened in the past?

Creation, Fall, and Grace

God is the creator that created the creature (world). Basically, the world is the separate from the one who made it.

Creator/Creature distinction

Art of analyzing and evaluating thinking with a view of improve

Critical Thinking

Interpretive Journey step: What theological principles are in this text?

Crossing the principlizing bridge

Premises are meant to guarantee conclusion, they must be valid, they must be sound.

Deductive Argument

Intellectual standard: containing complexities and multiple interrelationships

Depth

Element of thought: frame of reference, perspective, orientation, worldview

Embodies a point of view

Intellectual trait/virtue: Do I accurately present the views of others, even the views of those I strongly agree with? Or do I create caricatures of other people's positions?

Fair-mindedness

Intellectual standard: justifiable, not self-serving or one-sided

Fairness

The one we actually we live

Functional World view

The idea that God proves His existence in the creation.

General Revelation

8 elements of thought:

Generates purposes, raises questions, uses information, utilizes concepts, makes inferences, makes assumptions, generates implications, and embodies a point of view.

The main goal for humans. Also, the idea that in the new earth that we will glorify God as we have glorified nations.

Glorifying God

What lenses is happening in the future?

Glory

Must have true premises, must be either valid or strong The premises must not beg the question The premises must be plausible and relevant to the conclusion

Good Argument

Interpretive Journey step: What did the text mean to the original audience?

Grasp the text in their town

5 steps of the Interpretive Journey for the Bible:

Grasp the text in their town, measuring the width of the river to cross, crossing the principlizing bridge, consult the biblical map, and grasp the text in our town

Interpretive Journey step: How can we apply this theological principle in our lives today?

Grasping the text in our town

8 intellectual traits/virtues:

Humility, courage, empathy, autonomy, integrity, perseverance, confidence in reason, and fair-mindedness.

We worship the things that God has created. i.e. worshipping work The Incarnation, Crucifixion, and Resurrection of Christ Incarnation is the birth of Christ from the Father and Son of God. Crucifixion is the idea of Christ being tortured on the cross for us. Resurrection is the resurfacing of Christ after 3 days.

Idolatry

Standard Argument Format

If A, then B/ Since A, then B/ Premise 1: If A then B/Premise 2: A/ Conclusion: B

Element of thought: that which follows logically, effects

Implications

therefore, so, it follows that hence, consequently suggests / proves / demonstrates that entails, implies

Indicators of Conclusion

Since This is because... firstly, secondly, ... for, as, after all, assuming that, in view of the fact that follows from, as shown / indicated by may be inferred /deduced/derived from

Indicators of Premise

The premises are supposed to make the conclusion probable without guaranteeing it

Inductive Argument

Conclusion is probable, the premises make the conclusion probable but not guaranteed. Must be strong and cogent.

Inductive argument

Element of thought: conclusions, solutions

Inferences

Element of thought: data, facts, evidence, observations, experiences, reasons

Information

Intellectual trait/virtue: What do I really know about myself, this situation, another person, my nation, what is going around the world, etc.?

Intellectual Humility

Intellectual trait/virtue: Do I distort and misinterpret things?

Intellectual Integrity

Intellectual trait/virtue: Do I continue pursuing the answer to important problems and questions even when doing so is difficult, complex, slow, or frustrating?

Intellectual Perseverance

Intellectual trait/virtue: Do I regulate my own thoughts, beliefs, and values? Or are my thoughts, beliefs, and values dictated by my peers, my professors, my boyfriend, the media, the movies I watch, the way I feel, etc.?

Intellectual autonomy

Intellectual trait/virtue: Do I pursue the truth even when it threatens my dearly held assumptions and beliefs?

Intellectual courage

Intellectual trait/virtue: To what extent do I understand the views and reasons of those with whom I disagree?

Intellectual empathy

If an argument fails to meet this standard of deductive argument

Invalid

Intellectual standard: the parts make sense together, no contradictions

Logic

Interpretive Journey step: What are the relevant differences between the biblical audience and us?

Measuring the width of the river to cross

Intellectual standard: exact to the necessary level of detail

Precision

A statement or proposition from which another is inferred or follows as a conclusion; a statement intended to support another

Premise

Element of thought: goal, objective, function

Purposes

Element of thought: problems, issues

Questions

Worldview you are aware of

Reflective Worldview

Intellectual standard: relating to the matter at hand

Relevance

The grace we have because we are saved by God.

Saving grace

Intellectual standard: focusing on the important, not trivial

Significance

If an argument is valid and all premises are true

Sound

The Bible and how God reveals Himself through divine intervention.

Special Revelation

A definite or clear expression of something in speech or writing (Oxford Dictionary).

Statement

Worldview you are unaware of

Tacit Worldview

The belief in Creation, Fall, Grace, and Glory

The Creation Worldview

To go unto the world and save the world (who wishes to be saved) and this is added on to the creation mandate

The Great Commission

We are already saved, but not yet having the fulfillment of the promises of the kingdom of heaven.

The already but not yet of redemption

The one we say we have

Theoretical World View

The idea that we are totally and wholly sinful!

Total Depravity

The father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit are not the same person but at the same time they are.

Trinity

It might be that it is invalid, or maybe it has one false premises, or both

Unsound

it might be that it is invalid, or maybe it has at least one false premise, or both.

Unsound Argument

If an argument succeeds in meeting this standard of deductive argument

Valid

Example: Barbie is over 90 years old, so Barbie is over 20

Validity

The structure of understanding that we use to make sense of our world.

World View

A diagram that captures the logical structure of a simple or complex argument

argument map