Chapters 1 Flashcards
What is critical thinking
critical thinking is reasonable and reflective thinking aimed at deciding what to believe and what to do
why is critical thinking reflective
because it requires us to reflect on our methods and strategies while doing the critical thinking
what is knowledge
justification, truth and belief
what are the three attitudes of truth
realism
relativism
nihilism
what do realists believe
that there is either a right or a wrong answer. that there is one fact
what is realism good for
biology, chemistry, astronomy
what do nihilists believe
that there are no truths
what is nihilism good for
fiction and astrology
what do relativists believe
that there are truths but they are dependent on what someone believes
what is relativism good for
morality
what is an argument
an argument is a series of statements some of which (the premises) are meant to provide logical support for another (the conclusion)
what is theoretical reasoning
Deciding what to believe involves reasoning about what the facts are
what is practical reasoning
deciding what to do involves reasoning about what and how to do it
what is an open-ended problem
when it is not clear from the beginning (outset) what would count as the solution and may require thinking hard about the problem itself
what is an example of an open-ended problem
poverty
what is emotional reasoning
reasoning that ties people together emotionally
what is pragmatic reasoning
reasons tied with benefits that come from believing
ex: the athlete and coach scenario
what is epistemic reasoning
reasons to think that a belief is true or accurate and that it captures fact properly.
because someone has evidence
what is freedom of belief
being able to form our beliefs free from outside interference and coercion
does not mean that it is reasonable to believe without good reasons. It is an attitude of acceptance
ex: believing, assuming, presupposing or accepting that there is milk in the fridge
what is producing reasons
the reasons as to why you believe something in the first place
what is sustaining reasons
the reasons why you continue to believe and what your beliefs are based on
what is autonomy
the direct conflict, the indirect conflict
