Lecture 2, 3, 4, 5 Flashcards
(27 cards)
What does it mean to infer?
To draw a conclusion from available information
What is the critics job regarding inferences?
To decide which inferences are justified based on the available information
Why are the words safe and unsafe used for inferences?
To recognize the importance of careful reasoning
How do arguments differ from explanation?
Explanations tell us why something is or how it came about to explain something we have knowledge about where as arguments provide reasons to believe something we were uncertain about
What are two useful tests for judging an explanation?
Scope(how much is claimed) and simplicity(the simplest possible explanation)
When is critical thinking necessary?
When skills or knowledge must be applied
when independent judgment is needed
when alternative perspectives are possible
when actions and decisions need to informed
when rapid judgments are called for
when you are a knowledge generator
According to what factors should a sources credibility be assessed?
Reputation, perceptual ability, expertise and knowledge, neutrality, vested interest, corroboration, consistency
How should statistical evidence be assessed?
source, purpose, methodology, corroboration, presentation
Why is it important to apply reliability criteria judiciously?
To avoid rushing judgments and focus on determining how far the factors strengthen or weaken the credibility of evidence or claims
What is critical thinking?
Thinking that applies knowledge to different purposes and involves judgment and discernment
What are claims?
Claims are utterances that are meant to be true, since some are true they must be critically assessed
How do arguments relate to critical thinking?
Arguments primary purpose is to persuade in favour of some claim, the critical question is whether the argument has been successful or failed in its persuasion
What are objects of critical focus?
Texts refer to various forms of communication
What are the core activities of critical thinking?
Analysis - identifying the assumptions of the claim
Evaluation - check assumptions for validity and accuracy
Further argument - give own reasoned case to the claim
What are the attitudes of a critical thinker?
Fair and open minded, active and informed, sceptical, independent, brave
What are the varieties of claims?
Prediction - a claim that may or may not happen in the future
Hypotheses - a proposition that arises from a theory and can be tested through research
Value judgments - a claim about somethings quality or worth
Recommendations - a claim that states the meaning of a word
Definitions - a statement about a meaning of a word
How does the justification of claim relate to its truth?
Justification is provided by the reasons that can be given for a claim, truth belongs to the content of the claim itself
A claim is true but unjustified is there is no reason to believe it
A claim is false but justified if one can be convinced based on the evidence but it could be wrong
What makes a claim strongly justified?
It can be shown to be true beyond reasonable doubt, it can be shown to have exceptionally high probability and it has convincing grounds to believe
What are lesser standards used to judge claims?
Plausibility - possibility
Credibility - backed by evidence or comes from a reliable source
What determines how strong or weak a claim is?
How much is being claimed and how forcefully it is worded
What are the two meanings of a reasons?
Reason as an explanation and reason as grounds for claiming something
What is the difference between good and bad evidence/reasons?
Bad evidence does not justify the claim or actions for which it is given
What are the types of evidence?
Direct - testimony of a first hand experience
Indirect - circumstantial evidence that may support conclusion indirectly
Corroboration - some pieces of evidence that are not convincing on their own but when combined can corroborate each other
What factors can be used to judge the credibility of evidence?
Plausibility and reliability
Reputation, perceptual ability, expertise and knowledge, neutrality, vested interest, corroboration, consistency
