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Critical Thinking > Unit 1 Exam > Flashcards

Unit 1 Exam Flashcards

1
Q

How is ‘definition’ defined?

A

A definition is an explanation of the meaning of the word.

The meaning of a word is a set of rules…governing the use of that word.

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2
Q

Reportive

A

How a word is actually used.

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3
Q

Stipulative

A

A proposal or pronouncement as to how a word will be used.

An announcement

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4
Q

Reportive: Lexical

A

The ordinary meaning

Example: Family

A family is a group of individuals related by birth adoption or marriage.

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5
Q

Reportive: disciplinary

A

How a term is used in a particular field.

Example: “A taxonomic category of related organisms ranking below an order and above a genus.”

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6
Q

Reportive: Historical

A

How a term was used in the past.

Example: A family is one or more persons related by blood, adoption, or marriage, living and cooking together as a single housekeeping unit, exclusive of households servants.”

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7
Q

Stipulative: Arbitrary

A

Introduces a new term or meaning.

Example: Let ‘genfam’ mean families based on genetic relationship.

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8
Q

Stipulative: Precising

A

Proposes a more exact meaning for a particular text.

Example: For purposes of this exercise, I will use ‘family’ to refer to a group of individuals residing together and committed to supporting each other financially, emotionally, and educationally.

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9
Q

Five methods

A
  1. Synonym
  2. Genus/Species
  3. Complete enumeration
  4. Example
  5. Ostention
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10
Q

Synonym

A

Equivalent word or very short phrase.

Consider the word: siblings

Example: brothers and sisters

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11
Q

Genus/Species

A

General category with specific feature(s).

Consider the word: Siblings

Example: Sister, brother, half-sister, half-brother, stepsister, stepbrother, foster sister, foster brother.

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12
Q

Example

A

One or more (but not a complete list).

Consider the word: siblings

Example: A brother

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13
Q

Ostention

A

Pointing

Consider the word: siblings

Example: literally pointing to a sibling

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14
Q

Completely circular

A

Using the term to define itself.

Consider the phrase: Distant relatives

Example: Those relatives you are related to distantly.

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15
Q

Obscure

A

Where the definition is less clear than the term itself.

Consider the phrase: Distant relatives

Example: A fourth cousin

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16
Q

Accidental conditions

A

Using features that only happen to apply.

Consider the phrase: Distant relatives

Example: Someone you don’t know but hope to inherit from.

17
Q

Too narrow

A

Omits things which ought to be included.

Consider the phrase: Distant relatives

Example: Family members

18
Q

Too broad

A

Includes things that ought not be included.

Consider the phrase: Distant relatives

Example: Family members

19
Q

Three potentially problematic ways we use language that have an effect on reasoning.

A
  1. Loaded language
  2. Euphemism
  3. Weasel words
20
Q

Loaded Language

A

Words chosen for strong emotive content.

Example: Whether it is a problem depends on context and purpose

  • Can be favorable or negative language.
  • Can be inappropriately or appropriately used.
21
Q

Euphemism

A

Nice sounding description of not-so-nice reality.

Example:

  • Downsizing
  • Putting a pet to sleep
  • Engaging the enemy
  • Friendly fire
22
Q

Weasel Words

A

Words that drain the content of a statement.

Example:

  • may (instead of ‘will’)
  • it seems that
  • perhaps
23
Q

Vagueness and ambiguity can be obstacles to clarify..

A
  • These are two different problems

- These are not always problematic

24
Q

Vagueness

A

Has to do with lack of precision and clarity.

  • Most language is to vague to some extent
  • Vagueness is a mater of degree
  • Vagueness is not always problematic. It can be useful and intentional.
25
Q

Fuzziness or fuzzy borders

Type of Vagueness

A

What is included in the category?

Solutions?

  • Stipulative a definition
  • Provide a definition by example(s)
  • Develop a criteria: features that characterize clear cases and help you decide about less clear cases.
26
Q

Too general

Type of Vagueness

A

In type or in quantity.

Solutions?

If the problem is a word that is too general in type…

  • give details
  • name specifics

If the problem is a word that is too general in quantity…

  • put a number on it
  • give a comparison
27
Q

Ambiguity

A

The general problem

  • to or more possible (clear and specific) meanings
  • you cannot tell from the context which one is intended
28
Q

Word Ambiguity

A

A particular word with more than one meaning.

Consider the word: ‘point’

Passenger: You should turn here.
Driver: Left?
Passenger: Right.

Common uses: humor, clever advertising.

29
Q

Grammatical Ambiguity

A

More than one way to read a sentence.

  • The words themselves are not ambiguous.
  • The structure is ambiguous: how the words are connected.

Example: “The professor announced an extra credit opportunity last week.”
Is this something you would be happy to hear or disappointed?

Critical Thinking (1 decks)

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