Critical Reasoning

Question 1

Modus Tollens

Answer 1

• Negative
• E.g. If the building had been broken into the alarm would have sounded, the alarm did not sound so there was no break in

Question 2

Modus Ponens

Answer 2

• Positive
• E.g. If there is a south westerly blowing, the surf will be good. There is a south westerly blowing so the surf will be good

Question 3

Inductive

Answer 3

• Even if both premises are true it is still possible for the conclusion to be false
• conclusion > main points > supporting data and evidence
• E.g. All tigers observed within this region have black stripes. Therefore, all the tigers from this region will have black stripes

Question 4

Deductive

Answer 4

• It is impossible for the premise to be true but the conclusion false
• 1=2, and 2=3, then 1=3
• E.g. All fruit grow on trees, as orange is a fruit, therefore an orange grows on a tree

Question 5

Description

Answer 5

Typically gives one or more items of information about a particular topic

Question 6

Narrative

Answer 6

Describes or portrays actions in time

Question 7

Explanation

Answer 7

We already accept the truth of a statement but we try to say how it is that it came about

Question 8

Argument

Answer 8

Aims to justify the truth of some statement by giving reasons for it

Question 9

Conclusion Indicators

Answer 9

Therefore, so, thus, which proves that, which shows that, from which it follows that, consequently, which leads to, which is why, what follows from this is obvious

Question 10

Reason Indicators

Answer 10

Because, due to the fact that, is based on, is proved by, is shown by, which follows from, is a consequence of, since, for

Question 11

NOT Indicators

Answer 11

However, but, and, moreover, in addition, or, if, then, unless, conversely

Question 12

To evaluate any argument 4 questions need to be asked

Answer 12

• What conclusion is being drawn?
• What reasons are being given for the conclusion?
• How likely is it that the reasons are true?
• How strongly do the reasons support the conclusion?

Question 13

Cogent

Answer 13

clear, logical, convincing, true, realistic

Question 14

5 Different degrees of strength in inferences

Answer 14

• Deductively valid (100% certain)
• Strong (75% - 99.9% certain)
• Moderate (25% - 75% certain)
• Weak (1% to 25% certain)
• Nil (0% certain)

Question 15

Formal Logic

Answer 15

Logic that is neat and tidy where the inferences are regarded as only of two types: deductively valid or not deductively valid

Question 16

Informal Fallacies

Answer 16

Fallacies that can’t be neatly symbolised or formalised. A miscellaneous bunch of mistakes.

Question 17

Ad Hominem Arguments

Answer 17

Attacking the person rather that the argument they put forward

Question 18

Argument from irrelevant authority

Answer 18

When a person who is an expert in one area is presented as an expert in another area

Question 19

The genetic fallacy

Answer 19

To attack an argument not in terms of its content but in terms of its origins

Question 20

Hasty Generalisation

Answer 20

Jumping to a general conclusion from only a small sample

Question 21

Argument from ignorance

Answer 21

• We do not know that X is true, therefore it is false
  OR
• We do not know that X is false, therefore it is true

Question 22

Equivocation

Answer 22

Using a word or phrase that shifts from one meaning to another in an argument, making the argument seam cogent when it is not

Question 23

Denying the Antecendent

Answer 23

• Modus Tollen just not deductively valid
• Negative
• E.g. If the roads are slippery and wet, then you need to drive carefully. But the roads are not slippery and wet, so you don’t need to drive carefully

Question 24

Affirming the consequent

Answer 24

• Modus Ponen just not deductively valid
• Positive
• E.g. If my computer breaks down, I won’t be able to write my essay. I am not able to write my essay, so my computer has broken down

Question 25

1. Summary

Answer 25

• Identify the main position of each participant

Question 26

2. Clarification

Answer 26

• Concepts - State the philosophical concepts that frame the argument of each participant
• Arguments - Explain all arguments with relative examples. Describe all arguments

Question 27

3. Evaluation

Answer 27

• Examples - Explain the relevance of all examples used
• Premises - provide reasons to justify the stated acceptability of all premises. State the acceptability of all premises
• Inferences - State the strength of all inferential moves and provide reasons to justify it
• Cogency - Assess the cogency of each argument