Southern New Hampshire University
PHL-111 Introduction to Critical Thinking
Module Six Overview
Module Six Learning Objectives
By the end of Module Six, you will meet these learning objectives:
Compare astroturfing and false advertising
Describe critical thinking techniques for refuting misinformation
Analyze personal experience and responsibility for misinformation
Module Six at a Glance
1. Complete the assigned textbook chapters.
2. Review the module reading and resources.
3. Post your initial response to the discussion prompt.
4. Respond to at least two of your peers in the discussion.
5. Complete the journal activity.
Misinformation
In this course, we have examined the nature of critical thinking and reasoned argumentation. We
have learned about the nature of critical thinking and how to distinguish rational thought from
other kinds of rhetorical, cognitive, and emotional processes. We have learned about the
structure of arguments and how to both assess and construct an argument and counterargument.
We have also examined how subjective influences and biases can influence arguments, and the
nature of logical fallacies that can hinder the way that we assess and construct arguments.
Finally, we assessed an argument in these respects and crafted our own counterargument in
response.
In this module we will look at a particular form of argument called an “advertisement.”
Certainly, some ads are helpful, informative, and fair, but many are not. Some ads use false
information, sometimes called “misinformation,” to sell their product. Such advertisers may not
realize their information is unreliable. When advertisers know their information is false and they
use it anyway, it’s called “disinformation.”
The most egregious of advertisements are those called “astroturfing.” We have all seen the
product called “astroturf,” which is plastic, fake grass. Astroturfing in the media is a fake
grassroots movement. Astroturfing makes you think that lots of people and experts agree with
their ideas. Astroturfing carries deep bias, faked data, and manipulative approaches to persuade
people that their stance is reliable. Usually there are corporations or political groups hidden
behind the astroturfing ads. Astroturfing is a form of argument that carries bias deep in its
message. It uses disinformation, not reliable data. You will watch a video explaining this
insidious strategy.
The material we present in this module has broader applications, even closer to home. For
instance, do you think carefully about the sources of information—textbooks, lecture notes, and
references—in your courses? All sources of information are written from some pre-established
point of reference, and they might contain implicit assumptions or biases that remain
unquestioned or unexamined. All academic disciplines (even philosophy and critical thinking)
are influenced by subjective factors and may contain biases that their experts cannot see or
acknowledge themselves. There may or may not be misinformation in your academic material.
You must be a critical thinker and look.
Let’s press the point. When you read publications, review scholarly resources and articles, and
engage in discussions, do you pay close attention to the strength of the arguments that are
presented in the materials, or that your instructors and peers make? One disadvantage of
scholarly stature and authority in the educational system is that the nature of academic prestige
often discourages both students and instructors from scrutinizing the strength of their own
arguments. Expert opinion is often considered a primary source for justifying claims and
therefore remains unquestioned itself. Do you scrutinize the strengths and weaknesses of the
premises and conclusions used to justify expert opinion? Again, critical thinking is needed.
Since critical thinking is the most universal, basic, and important intellectual tool that all of us
use in every aspect of our lives, we often take its role for granted and forget how integral it is to
how deeply and responsibly we approach our school, work, and lives. The skills that we have
just begun to explore and practice here require constant mental vigilance. Critical thinking is
indispensable to being healthy, happy, and aware human beings.
