Lesson 1: What is critical reasoning?

Question 1

Define rhetoric

Answer 1

“[a]ny 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 solely through the power or the words used”

Question 2

define Critical reasoning

Answer 2

“active, reflective and
informed thinking that involves the ability to deliberately and skillfully question, analyse, interpret
and evaluate ideas and beliefs in the light of reasons, or evidence, which support them

Question 3

What is Dogma

Answer 3

Dogma is unquestioned information
from an authority — information that is embraced without the intervention of active
thought or criticism.

Question 4

What is critical reasoning, informal and formal logic?

Answer 4

Leo Groarke “Informal logic is ‘informal’ insofar as it studies arguments as they occur
in natural language discourse rather than formal languages of the sort that
characterize propositional logic, the predicate calculus, modal logic, formal logic “examines the formal structures of arguments in logical
language or symbols and it employs precise rules for testing the validity of arguments”

Question 5

discuss what is meant by: CRITICAL REASONING COMPETENCE – THINKING FOR
YOURSELF

Answer 5

To think for yourself involves a critical attitude of reflecting on how we think in
various areas of our lives. This means that we question the world, and engage critically
with the possibilities and alternatives that the world offers

Question 6

Discuss what is meant by: CRITICAL REASONING COMPETENCE – THINKING IN AN
INFORMED WAY

Answer 6

An informed opinion is one that can be substantiated or is based on fact, rather
than mere personal opinion.

Question 7

Discuss what is meant by: CRITICAL REASONING COMPETENCE – CRITICAL SELFREFLECTION

Answer 7

is the ability to reflect on their own positions.

Examine assumptions:
Acknowledge biases and prejudices
Be suspicious of dogma

Question 8

what is standard form

Answer 8

The standard
form of an argument is when the argument is written out in a way that makes the
argument’s premises and conclusion explicit.