Chapter 1

Question 1

Critical thinking is about evaluating ___?

Answer 1

Beliefs –> which beliefs are worth believing?

Question 2

Example of a belief

Answer 2

1. The earth is round

2. Toronto is the capital of Canada

Question 3

Where do beliefs come from

Answer 3

• Parents & family
• TV, movies
• Reading books & magazines

Question 4

Critical thinking is ______?

Answer 4

The systematic evaluation or beliefs, statements by rational standards

Question 5

What is logic?

Answer 5

• Formal logic: a set of symbolisms for representing and examining logical relations
• Informal logic: the study of rules, guidelines and techniques

Question 6

The basic conceptual toolbox of critical thinking

Answer 6

• Statement
• Premise
• Conclusion
• Argument

Question 7

Statement

Answer 7

AKA a “claim”
- An assertion that something is or is not the case

ie. “Taxes are too high”

Question 8

Statements must be _____?

Answer 8

True or false

Can be used as premises and conclusions

Question 9

Examples of non-statements

Answer 9

1. Commands
2. Questions
3. Requests
4. Exclamations
5. Names/Titles
6. Expletives

Question 10

Purpose of arguments

Answer 10

• intended to persuade

- explore the implications

Question 11

Premises

Answer 11

A statement given as a reason in support of another statements

Question 12

Conclusion

Answer 12

A statement that premises are used to support

Question 13

Premises versus conclusions

Answer 13

• Conclusion: What the speaker wants the audience to accept

- The premises state reasons for the audience to accept that conclusion

Question 14

Examples of premises & conclusions

Answer 14

Premise: “I got sick when I ate there”
Conclusion: “ You should avoid that restaurant”

Question 15

Rules of thumb about arguments

Answer 15

1. A weak argument is still an argument

2. Premises are still premises

Question 16

Two ways to question an argument

Answer 16

1. Question the premises

2. Question the reasoning process leading from premises to conclusion

Question 17

Inference?

Answer 17

The process of reasoning from premises to conclusion

ie. “Based on these tests, it seems safe to infer that it’s safe to drink the water”

Question 18

Difference between an argument and an explanation

Answer 18

Explanation: tells us WHY something happened.

Argument: why we should BELIEVE a statement is true

Question 19

Can explanations be a part of arguments?

Answer 19

Yes

Question 20

How to recognize an argument?

Answer 20

• Look for a conclusion + supporting premises

- Look for indicator words

Question 21

Premise Indicators

Answer 21

• Because, since, given that, due to the fact that etc.

Question 22

Conclusion indicators

Answer 22

• therefore, so, we can conclude that, thus, it follows that etc.

Question 23

Explanation

Answer 23

Series of statements to show why an accepted fact is the case (NOT an argument)

Question 24

Argument

Answer 24

Series of statements in which some (premises) are claimed to logically support or defend a conclusion