Philosophy assignment 7

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Philosophy 1001

PPT 10

Logic and Critical Thinking

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Phil Ppt 1 Definitions day 2

Phil Ppt 1 Definitions day 2

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Smile

TERMS TO KNOW

  • Rational
  • Critical Thinking
  • Syllogism
  • Logical fallacy

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PHILOSOPHY:
A RATIONAL ENTERPRISE

What does rational mean?

  • ….rational means well conceived, well evidenced, well stated and persuasive.
  • If so, there should be some rules we can create to use for thinking.
  • Logic is the field of Philosophy that deals with the use of rational patterns and principles of thinking to understand subjects and argue ideas.

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ARGUMENTS/PROOFS/SYLLOGISMS

  • In Philosophy we use the term argument and/or proof to describe a line of reasoning that leads to a conclusion.
  • An argument or proof usually includes;
  • Premise- idea(s) or assumption(s) to begin with
  • Propositions- other ideas or points added
  • Conclusion- conclusion drawn from premise and proposition

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(Not the kind of “argument” we are talking about!)

SYLLOGISM

A syllogism is one way to craft an argument or proof

Syllogism – a 3 part argument

Major/minor premise, conclusion

Philosophy is a class,

Philosophy is fun =

Philosophy is a fun class

(Aristotle and Plato are credited with creating many of our foundational ideas for logic.)

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THREE LAWS OF THOUGHT
FUNDAMENTAL FOR ALL OF ARGUMENT?

  • #1. Law of Non- Contradiction
  • Something can’t both be and not be at same time
  • #2. Law of the Excluded Middle
  • Something either is or is not
  • #3. Law of Identity
  • Something is what it is.

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THE MATHEMATICS OF LOGIC
-AN EXAMPLE OF SYMBOLIC LOGIC

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Logic is used in engineering and programing and many other technical fields

LOGICAL FALLACIES-FALSE LOGIC, POOR ARGUMENTS
TO BE AWARE OF AND TO AVOID USING

The Dirty Dozen Of Logical Thinking

1. Inconsistency – Contradicting ourselves in words or actions without being able to explain the changes.

2. Two Wrongs Don’t Make A Right – Defending something you did wrong by pointing out that someone else did it too or trying to rectify one wrong action with another wrong action.

3. Either/Or – Making it appear that there are only two possible sides.

4. Is/Ought or Tradition- Things are a certain way now and so must continue.

5. Red Herring – Using an unrelated idea to distract your opponent.

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LOGICAL FALLACIES CONT’D

6. Hasty Generalization – Assuming most members of a group share common characteristics based on a few observations.

7. Post Hoc or False Cause - a first action caused the second because seem to be related.

8. Slippery Slope- Persuading others to reject or accept a proposal since an unfavorable chain of events would occur otherwise.

9. Questionable Claim- Using statements too broad or exaggerated to be true.

10. Provincialism - Looking at issues only from your point of view, or of people like you. (Ethnocentrism)

11. False Appeal To Authority – Incorrectly relying on authority figures or experts to back up your arguments.

12. False Appeal to Popularity or Bandwagon- Assuming an idea is right because it is popular- “Everybody’s doing it!”

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CRITICAL THINKING

  • Critical thinking is the objective analysis and evaluation of an issue or idea in order to form a judgment about it.
  • Grocery store example
  • “Thorough thinking” is another way to describe it.
  • Critical thinking is not about “criticizing” something or someone but about carefully considering ideas.

  • Key Goal for UMC Students- to gain effective Critical Thinking Skills

Phil Ppt 1 Definitions day 2

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This Minnesota farmer needs to move these three items across a river but her boat can only carry herself and one other item at a time.

What is the dilemma the farmer faces and how will she solve it?

(Pause the video to try to figure it out, then go ahead. )

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Solution

Trip 1

Trip 2

Trip 3 take the chicken back!

Trip 4

Trip 5 take the chicken the second time

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What did the Minnesota farmer have that you also had to solve this dilemma?

What are three elements of Critical Thinking needed for dealing with any subject?

ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF CRITICAL THINKING

The Minnesota farmer needed knowledge about and experience with the fox, chicken and grain as well as a creative and open mind for solving the dilemma. She was able to apply critical thinking to the dilemma to solve it.

Knowledge/ Information

Experience

Attitude /Critical Thinking Attributes

ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF CRITICAL THINKING

Knowledge Base – necessary for dealing with any issue

Experience – makes knowledge real and often produces knowledge

Thinking Attributes- motivate us to use and develop our thinking skills.

Knowledge/ Information

Experience

Thinking Attributes

CRITICAL THINKING ATTRIBUTES

Critical thinkers are…

  • Open-minded (my viewpoint may not be right or complete)
  • Knowledgeable (can’t know everything but need to always be learning)
  • Those who think for themselves (doesn’t mean you don’t listen to others)
  • Self-aware (aware of own bias, point of view, limitations)
  • Active thinkers (in the habit of thinking through things)
  • Curious (always learning and gaining new information)
  • Skilled at discussion (practice good discussion)
  • Creative problem solvers (always consider new creative ways to solve problems)

(credit John Chaffee: Introduction to Critical Thinking)

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THE CRITICAL THINKING PROCESS

  • Don’t necessarily accept things at face value
  • Take the time required to investigate and analyze
  • Though emotion is a part of life, value thoughtfulness above emotional response
  • Put self in the shoes of those you disagree with
  • Ask important questions
  • What other information needs to be found?
  • Is there another way to look at an issue or other possible solutions than what is being purposed?
  • What are the possible consequences of ideas being considered?

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FINDING GOOD KNOWLEDGE/ INFORMATION -1

  • Using expert opinion (with a grain of salt)
  • “Everything that can be invented, has been invented”
  • Charles Duell, head of the US Patent office 1899
  • “X-rays are a hoax” - Lord Kelvin, physicist 1900
  • “ Martians build two immense canals in two years.”
  • NY Times headline August 27,1911
  • “The radio craze will die out in time.” - Tomas Edison, 1922
  • “While theoretically and technically television may be possible, commercially and financially, I consider it an impossibility.”
  • Lee DeForest, Inventor of Audion tube 1926
  • “I think there is a world market for about five computers.” - Thomas Watson, IBM Chairman, 1943
  • “The Bomb will never go off, and I speak as an expert in explosives.”
  • Admiral William Daniel Leahy, advisor to President Truman, 1945
  • “There is no reason for any individual to have a computer in their home.”
  • Ken Olson, President of Digital Equipment Corp. 1977

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Identifying Facts and Opinions More reliable

If statement/fact is common knowledge

- no need for support

2. If statement/fact is not common knowledge but

confirmed to be accurate, it is a fact

source of confirmation should be cited

3. If statement/fact neither common knowledge nor

confirmed accurate, it is an opinion that should be

supported by reliable information

4. If not clear whether statement/fact is a fact or opinion,

should be treated as opinion. Less reliable

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FINDING GOOD KNOWLEDGE/ INFORMATION -2

Phil Ppt 1 Definitions day 2

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Checking Facts and Testing Opinions

“Facts” can be misstated, omitted and presented from point of bias

7 Criteria for Checking and Testing

1. Consult everyday experience

2. Consider the opinion’s likely consequences

(unintended consequences)

3. Consider the implications (watch for generalizations)

4. Think of exceptions

5. Think of counter examples

6. Reverse the opinion – can a case be made for the opposite?

7. Look for relevant research

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FINDING GOOD KNOWLEDGE/ INFORMATION -3

Phil Ppt 1 Definitions day 2

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Analyzing information- authors and sources

  • 1. Is there information about the author that might give you a clue about his or her bias/point of view? Is the author associated with or do they represent an organization known for a certain point of view? Are their other writings by the author that suggests they hold a certain point of view? (read the “About the Author” page in your text books.)
  • 2. What is the issue? (What are the sides of the issue?)
  • 3. What side is the author arguing for?
  • 4. What assumption(s) does the author make?
  • 5. What is the bias of the author?
  • 6. Can you outline the argument of the author?
  • 7. Do you think there are holes (fallacies/ faulty assumptions/ generalizations) in the author’s argument? What are they?
  • 8. What questions are you left with that need to be answered before you can draw a satisfactory personal conclusion?
  • 9. In what ways do you agree or disagree with the author?

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FINDING GOOD KNOWLEDGE/ INFORMATION -4

Phil Ppt 1 Definitions day 2

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TERMS TO KNOW

  • Rational
  • Critical Thinking
  • Syllogism
  • Logical fallacy

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THINGS TO KNOW

  • Logical Fallacy – can you name a few of these and describe what they are about?
  • What are the three laws of thought?
  • Can you describe the parts of a Syllogism
  • What are the three essential elements of critical thinking
  • What are some basic critical thinking questions you should ask about anything you hear or read?

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END

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ETHICS 2002

PPT

7

GENERAL ETHICAL CONCEPTS

PPT#7

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