Critical Thinking
The ability to think carefully about thinking and reasoning/to be critical of your own reasoning.
Propositions
The fundamental
... [Show More] building blocks of arguments. They are a statement that can be true or false.
Simple propositions
They have no internal logic structure, they are simply true or false based on how the world is.
Freedom should be the highest value for its citizens.
Simple proposition
Complex propositions
They have internal logic structure, and whether they are true or false depends on if their parts are true or false.
If freedom should be the highest value for its citizens, then we should promote it in our laws and policies.
Complex proposition
Argument
Contains at least two statements or propositions: a conclusion and one or more premises that lend support to the conclusion.
Premise
A proposition that supports the conclusion.
Conclusion Indicators
Therefore, so, it follows that, hence, thus, entails that, we may conclude that, implies that, wherefore, as a result.
Premise Indicators
Because, for, given that, in that, as, since, indicated by.
Conclusion
The claim that the whole argument is intended to support or prove.
Deduction
Arguments where the premises guarantee or necessitate the conclusion.
Types of arguments that are deductive
Mathematical arguments, logical arguments, arguments from definition.
Induction
Arguments where the premises make the conclusion likely to be true.
Types of arguments that are inductive/ampliative
Analogies, authority, casual inferences, scientific reasoning, extrapolations.
P1: Monty is in Bejing
P2: It is impossible to get here from Bejing in an afternoon
Conclusion: Monty won't be at the party
Deductive argument
P1: Monty is really shy
P2: Monty rarely goes to parties
Conclusion: Monty won't be at the party
Inductive/ampliative argument
Soundness/Validity
Elements of a deductive argument
Validity
If true, the premises make the conclusion true
Soundness
The argument's premises guarantee the conclusion when true (Validity), and all premises are true
Strength/Cogency
Elements of an inductive argument
Strength
The premises give probable support for the conclusion.
Cogent
The premises give probable support towards the conclusion when true (Strength), and all premises are true
Fallacy
A defect in reasoning
Formal Fallacy
A defect in the structure of an argument
Informal Fallacy
A defect in the content of an argument
Modus Ponens (Affirming the Antecedent) basic structure
P1. If X, then Y
P2. X
C: Therefore, Y
No Formal Fallacy
P1. If I'm in Rome, then I'm in Italy
P2. I am in Rome.
C: Therefore, I am in Italy
Modus Ponens (Affirming the Antecedent) [Show Less]