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