Chapter 4 Flashcards

1
Q

Types of claim conflicts

A
  1. Conflicts with observations

2. Conflicts with background information

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Example of conflicts with background information

A

“Baby bench-presses 500 Ib” - our background information tells us that babies are weak (what we know, experienced)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Examples of conflicts with observations

A

If a news report says a building is demolished, you can go see for yourself

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

If claim conflicts with out background information, we have good reason to doubt it?

A

Yes - conflicts with background information

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is background information

A
  • Facts about everyday things - “The sky is blue”
  • Beliefs based on very good evidence - “Cigs are bad for you”
  • Justified claims in regards to common sense
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Is doubting a claim with conflicting background information the same thing as saying it is “false”

A

NO - But it is a reason to explore further

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

How to determine claims w/ conflicting background info?

A

It is a judgement call

- the more background information the claim conflicts with, the more reason we have to doubt it

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Is common sense always right?

A

No!

Example: Many people believe that shark attacks are common

Example: Animals don’t feel pain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Rule about proportioning our beliefs?

A

We should proportion our belief to the evidence

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Suspension of judgement

A

Its not reasonable to believe a claim when there is no good reason for doing so.

-> Believing should not be your “default” setting

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

If a claim conflicts with expert opinion, we have good reason to doubt it. True or false?

A

True.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

When experts show significant disagreement over a claim, we have good reason to doubt it. True or false?

A

True.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Who is an expert?

A

Someone who is more knowledgable in a particular subject than other people.

Ex. Mechanic is an expert in car repair

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What good is an expert?

A

Because they have more information than we do on specific subjects

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Is it OK to rely on experts?

A

Sometime expert opinion is all we have to go on.

Eg. in a medical emergency, taking Dr.’s advice

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Appeal to authority

A

When we accept a claim from someone deemed to be an expert who in fact is not an expert.

17
Q

To be considered an expert the must:

A
  1. have shown that they can assess relevant evidence/arguments
  2. The can do their work in an unbiased way
18
Q

Indicators of expertise

A
  1. Education/training
  2. Experience making reliable judgements
  3. Reputation among peers
  4. Professional accomplishments

These are NOT GUARANTEES

19
Q

Conflict of Interest

A

When someone a person in a position of responsibility abuses his or her authority for personal gain

20
Q

Personal experience and claims

A

We accept many claims based on personal experiences - our own and others

21
Q

Factors that give good reason to doubt the reliability of personal experience

A
  1. Impairment
  2. Expectation
  3. Innumeracy
22
Q

Impairment - definition

A

Too dark, too light, too noisy etc.
Senses can be tricked (drunk, tired, injured)
Memory can be very unreliable
Perceptions are constructed by the brain (rather than recorded)

23
Q

Expectation - definition

A

Scientists work hard to make sure this doesnt’ happen (experiments etc.)

24
Q

Innumeracy - defintion

A

“Being really bad with numbers”

Ex. Estimates of probability ( we are bad with this)

25
Misjudging coincidence
A common error in Innumeracy - we often believe that an event is too improbable (too unlikely) to be a mere coincidence.
26
Tools to aid with Innumeracy
- Calculators | - Statistical theory
27
Innumeracy and gambling
"Gambler's fallacy": To think that a string of random events (such as coin tosses) can influence the probabilities in the random event at hand
28
Critical thinking and probabilities?
Good critical thinkers know about probabilities. We should not rely on intuitive sense of evaluating probabilities alone. (ie. Gut feeling)
29
Other innumeracy issues?
1. "Guesstimating" big numbers (how heavy is the earth?)