Course Introduction & Recognising Argumentation

Question 1

What new type of worker is there an increased demand for in the workforce?

Answer 1

the “knowledge worker” or the “symbol analyst,” a phrase that is used by the U.S. secretary of labor to describe someone who can carry out multistep operations, manipulate abstract and complex symbols and ideas, acquire new information efficiently, and remain flexible enough to recognize the need for continuing change and for
new paradigms for life-long learning

Question 2

What is meant by the term knowledge structures?

Answer 2

All of the interrelated concepts each of us have about different subjects

Question 3

What do most definitions of the term critical thinking include? (6)

Answer 3

Reasoning/ logic, judgement, meta-cognition, reflection, questioning and mental processes

Question 4

What definition does the book give for critical thinking?

Answer 4

Critical thinking is the use of those cognitive skills or strategies that increase the probability of a desirable outcome. It is used to describe thinking that is purposeful, reasoned, and goal directed-the kind of thinking involved in solving problems, formulating inferences, calculating likelihoods, and making decisions, when the thinker is using skills that are thoughtful and effective for the particular context and type of thinking task

Question 5

What is Russell equation for critical thinking?

Answer 5

Attitude + Knowledge + Thinking Skills = Critical Thinking

Question 6

What is thinking involved in routine habits such as brushing teeth categorised as?

Answer 6

non directed, automatic thinking or noncritical thinking

Question 7

What is meant by cognitive process instruction?

Answer 7

An area of psychology which aims to utilise the knowledge we have accumulated about human thinking processes and mechanisms in ways that help people improve how they think

Question 8

What 4 parts are contained in the proposed model for critical thinking?

Answer 8

1. Explicitly learn the skills of critical thinking
2. develop the disposition for effortful thinking and learning
3. direct learning activities in ways that increase the probability of trans contextual transfer (structure thinking)
4. Make metacognitive monitoring explicit and overt

Question 9

What is meant by semantic slanting?

Answer 9

Semantic slanting is part of the art of persuasion or “spin.” It is the purposeful choice of words and usages that are aimed at persuading the listener to embrace a point-of-view.

Question 10

What are plans in regard to critical thinking?

Answer 10

Prescriptive descriptions about what to do and they prevent habitual responses that may not work

Question 11

What is meant by cognitive flexibility?

Answer 11

The ability to change how we think about something (someone else view, multiple options, several ways to respond etc)

Question 12

Name a main deterrent to admitting, and therefore learning from mistakes

Answer 12

Self justification

Question 13

How does Langer (2000) define mindfulness?

Answer 13

“the simple act of drawing novel distinctions”

Question 14

What is meant by consensus seeking?

Answer 14

A disposition that allows individuals to accept what is good or true about an alternative position as a way of gaining support for ones own position; an openness in thinking that allows members to agree on aspects of a solution and disagree on others. it does not mean craving to majority opinion or forcing others to agree with you

Question 15

What dispositions are mentioned in the book for critical thinking? (7)

Answer 15

Effortful thinking and learning
Willingness to plan
Flexibility
Persistence
Willingness to self-correct
Being mindful
Consensus seeking

Question 16

What is the problem in learning thinking skills, ie what is the next step?

Answer 16

Transferring the skills in multiple contexts to recognise when they’re needed

Question 17

What is meant by metacognition

Answer 17

Our knowledge of what we know (or what we know about what we know) and the use of this knowledge to direct further learning activities

Question 18

What is meant by an argument?

Answer 18

An attempt to persuade by giving good reasons

Question 19

How do we distinguish arguments from other types of persuasion?

Answer 19

When we argue we attempt to give reasons

Question 20

What is meant by intellectual courage?

Answer 20

being willing to engage in argument and to open one’s own beliefs and reasoning up to scrutiny

Question 21

What is meant by intellectual autonomy?

Answer 21

being willing to go against the tide of popular and widely held opinions, or to adopt unpopular ones if there are good reasons to do so.

Question 22

What is meant by a rhetoric?

Answer 22

Any verbal or written attempt to persuade someone to believe, desire or do something that does not attempt to give good reasons for the belief, desire or action, but attempts to motivate that belief, desire or action by other means.

Question 23

What type of persuasion is a threat or bribe?

Answer 23

they are closer to argument; for they work by announcing to the recipient that they have a good reason to act as suggested.

Question 24

What three tasks must be carried out when analysing attempts to persuade?

Answer 24

• Distinguish whether an argument is being presented; identify the issue being discussed and determine whether or not the speaker is using reasons
• Reconstruct the argument so as to express it clearly and to demonstrate clearly the steps of reasoning
• evaluate the argument

Question 25

When we put forward an argument we are either ____ or _____ which can boil down to _____

Answer 25

Advancing an opinion; recommending an action; attempting to provide reasons for thinking that some claim is true.

Question 26

What two parts are there to arguments?

Answer 26

The conclusion; the primary claim, the one we are trying to get others to accept
The premises; the supporting claims, the ones intended to give us reasons for accepting the conclusion

Question 27

What is the working definition for an argument then?

Answer 27

A set of propositions of which one is a conclusion and the remainder are premises, intended as support for the conclusion.

Question 28

What is meant by a proposition?

Answer 28

The factual content expressed by a declarative sentence on a particular occasion.

Question 29

What are indexicles?

Answer 29

A word which changes meaning relative to the context (like I is relative to whom is speaking)

Question 30

What is meant by an inference bar?

Answer 30

The line between premises and conclusions to distinguish steps in reasoning

Question 31

My teacher is such a bitch, today I gave her my homework and bit my lip and she said I was pulling rude faces, so she gave me detention.

Reconstruct this argument in standard form

Answer 31

P1: Biting your lip is not ‘pulling a rude face’
P1: Giving someone detention for something they didn’t do would make someone a bitch
__________________
C1: The teacher put someone in detention for something they didn’t do
C: The teacher is a bitch

Question 32

What is meant by extended arguments?

Answer 32

A single text or speech containing several arguments for several different but connected conclusions. Sometimes we argue for one point, then a second, and then use those conclusions as premises in an argument for a third and final conclusion.

Question 33

What is the difference between explicit and implicit conclusions?

Answer 33

explicit conclusions: a writer or speaker expresses her conclusion directly and more or less clearly.
Implicit conclusions: only implied or suggested by the actual text or speech content, not explicitly expressed by it.

Question 34

How do explanations differ from arguments?

Answer 34

We need to work out whether they are telling us that such-and-such an event occurred as a result of some other event – that is, whether they intend to assert a relation of cause and effect. The difference is that, when giving the explanation, the speaker assumes that his or her audience already accepts the proposition that the roof is leaking, or at least that the speaker has no need to persuade the audience of this fact.

Question 35

When asked about actions, when is the reason an argument?

Answer 35

When its a justification for the action

Question 36

What is meant by intermediate conclusions?

Answer 36

The conclusion of one argument (the intermediate conclusion) may serve as a premise of a subsequent argument.

Question 37

Rachel doesn’t often give me much attention or reply to me so she mustn’t like me. This must mean I’m unattractive.

Write this in standard form of an extended argument

Answer 37

P1: Rachel does not give him attention
P2: Rachel does not reply
______________
C1: Rachel does not like him

P3: Rachel would like him if he was attractive
______________
C2: He is unattractive

Question 38

In regards to an argument, what would a logicians sense of the word ‘Inference’ refer to?

Answer 38

each step of reasoning, each move from premise or premises to conclusion, is an inference.