...& Fallacies HUM/111 April 17, 2014 Pam Strunk Assumptions & Fallacies 1) What are assumptions? How do you think assumptions might interfere with critical thinking? Elder, L. & Paul, R. (2002) define assumptions as "is something we take for granted or presuppose" 25 (3), 34. It is imperative to identify what we believe on the basis of an argument, as opposed to what we know. Develop critical thinking made us able to abstract our prejudices and preconceptions acquired through our life experience. These assumptions incorporate our paradigms and stereotypes. What we get through the reasoning of the information and assumptions are the interpretations that draws conclusions and give meaning to the data. With inferences, we take only what is apparent from the evidence. Therefore, I have to check whether inferences are logical. Our conclusions are often distorted by our interests. We must ensure that our conclusions will be the focus of all relevant information and that we have not excluded the information that does not support our preconceived ideas. 2) What are fallacies? What might you do to avoid using this particular fallacy in your thinking? Fallacy is an argument that is not valid or wrong, but with the appearance of correct reasoning. It is a misleading or erroneous reasoning, but it aims to be convincing or persuasive. Fallacious reasoning does not necessarily have a false conclusion, and right or valid reasoning does not...
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...Critical Thinking Critical thinking is that mode of thinking - about any subject, content, or problem - in which the thinker improves the quality of his or her thinking by skillfully taking charge of the structures inherent in thinking and imposing intellectual standards upon them. A well cultivated critical thinker: * Will frame different questions and predicts the problems in the long run process, formulating them clearly and precisely; * collects and analyze relevant information, using abstract thoughts to illuminate it effectively comes to well-reasoned conclusions and solutions, testing them against relevant situations, basic scenarios and standards; * thinks open-mindedly and thinks about the other systems, recognizing and assessing, as need be, their assumptions, suggestions, and practical results; and * Interacts and communicates effectively with team members in work, fellow students in school or college or within the family etc. in figuring out solutions to complex problems. Benefits of Critical Thinking At Work: Critical thinking makes employees and managers to look at a situation and analyze all possible solutions before taking a final decision. It can be a long process that requires ideas from different experienced people within the business organization. The benefits to critical thinking make it a valuable practice for any small business. * Produces New Ideas * Promote the development of Teamwork * Promotes Options * Uncovering...
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...Critical Thinking can be defined as the process of applying, analyzing or evaluating information obtained by experience, observation or by reasoning. I would like to explain in brief. Effectively identify, analyze and evaluate argument. Discover and overcome personal prejudices and biases. In conclusions provide convincing reasons. Make intelligent and reasonable decisions of what to do and what not to do. Critical Thinking plays a vital role when taking decisions to solve problems. In a process of problem solving you can foresee the outcomes before you can apply the decision. This helps us to apply more check points to our decision to make a positive outcome. It promotes creativity and is crucial for self reflection. Also it enhances language and presentation skills. I would like to provide the benefits as categories, which are academic, workplace and daily life. Academic Performance: Understand the arguments and beliefs of others. Evaluate those arguments and beliefs critically. Develop and defend one's own well supported arguments and beliefs. Workplace: Help us to reflect and get a deeper understanding of our own and others decisions. Encourage open mindedness to change. Aid us in being more analytical in solving problems. Daily life: Helps us to avoid making foolish personal decisions. Aids in development of autonomous tinkers capable of examining their assumptions and prejudices. Fallacy : A fallacy is an argument which appears to be valid but in reality it is not so...
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...Fallacy Summary and Application Paper Introduction Logical Fallacies are methods in argumentations or persuasions that may look or sound good and truthful but do not stand up to critical analysis. These are errors of reasoning that may be recognized by prudent thinkers (Downes, 1995). Fallacies are more than just mistaken belief, it is a flaw in argument that may be intentionally created by a person who has an agenda or may be due to a simple error. On the other hand, Fischer (1970; p. 306) in contrast with fallacy explains logic as follows: “Logic is not everything. But it is something something which can be taught, something which can be learned, something which can help us in some degree to think more sensibly about the dangerous world in which we live.” Logical fallacies are commonly used in order to manipulate a situation or worse when an individual does not recognize the fallacies in the argument, he can be manipulated during the decision making process. As such it is necessary for every individual to use critical thinking particularly during the decision-making process for him or her to become aware of logical fallacies and how these relate to decision-making. Critical thinking as against logical fallacies is a process being used particularly in resolving a problem. It is a mental process of analyzing and evaluating information such as statements or propositions being offered as truth. This process involves reflection of the meaning of statements given, examinations...
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...DMBA 610 Individual Paper Assignment Week 2: Critical Thinking and Decision making Assignment: Individual Paper Assignment: Individual Paper (15%) Your instructor will post a business memo that you will need to analyze applying the critical thinking model discussed in Asking the Right Questions. In a short paper (7-8 double-spaced pages) apply all of the steps of the critical Critical-Thinking model to assess the arguments made in the memo. Include all of the steps. Leaving out discussion of steps will adversely affect your grade. Although not necessary for a passing grade, answers to some of the questions may be enhanced by doing additional research. Remember that your task here is to evaluate the author's argument as objectively as possible, not to give your own opinions on the issue. Be sure to use the analytical points as set out in the book, not your own thoughts on the issue. Prepare your paper in the format your instructor requires and post it in your Assignments Folder. The citations and the reference list in the paper should be formatted in accordance with the APA guidelines. This paper is due midnight the last day of Week 2. Objective 2: Use a critical thinking framework to evaluate alternative courses of actions and reach sound decisions in workplace situations. Competencies: Critical Thinking and Communication Skills Criteria | Excellent | Satisfactory | Needs Improvement | 1. What are the issue and conclusions? |...
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...------------------------------------------------- THINKING SKILLS AND PROBLEM SOLVING Student’s name: Nguyen Duy Quang DOB: 14/08/1992 ID: 121401134 Class: 12BOBA04 Lecturer’s name: Ms. Khanh Learning Centre: HO CHI MINH UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY Date of Submission: 1 November 2013 Words: 2,867 Question 1 1. Introduction According to Ennis (1985), “Critical thinking is reasonably and reflectively deciding what to believe or do". Critical thinking is "the art of thinking about your thinking while you are thinking in order to make your thinking better: more clear, more accurate, or more defensible", Paul, Binker, Adamson, and Martin (1989). Critical thinking is best understood as the ability of thinkers to take charge of their own thinking. This requires that they develop sound criteria and standards for analyzing and assessing their own thinking and routinely use those criteria and standards to improve its quality. According to Michael, "Critical thinking is the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action. In its exemplary form, it is based on universal intellectual values that transcend subject matter divisions: clarity, accuracy, precision, consistency, relevance, sound evidence, good reasons, depth, breadth, and fairness”. Benefits of critical thinking The quality...
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...of Ms. Ford to evaluate the state’s proposed option to privatize the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) information systems management function. In order to validate each argument in the memo I will apply the critical thinking model from the book “Asking the Right Questions” by Browne and Keeley (2010). This model is comprised of ten steps for an audience to critically analyze a conclusion by speakers and writers. The first step of the critical thinking model is to identify the conclusion of a speaker’s or writer’s argument (Browne & Kelley, 2010). Browne and Kelley (2010) define the conclusion of a speaker or writer as the “message that the speaker or write wishes you to accept”. The conclusion of the business memo is stated by Ms. Ford, “APEU Local No. 121 should challenge the governor’s proposed privatization of the DMV information systems management function as an unfair management practice”. The conclusion in this memo is located at the end of the memo and clearly stated in the conclusion section however to validate that this statement is the conclusion, identification of the issue is necessary. Browne and Kelley (2010) define an issue as a “question or controversy responsible for the conversation or discussion”. The critical thinking model describes two types of issues that could exist in a speaker’s or writer’s argument: Descriptive issue which raise questions about the accuracy of descriptions; or Prescriptive issues which raise questions about what...
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...CRITICAL THINKING EXERCISE University of Maryland University College Introduction: In the book, “Asking the Right Questions: A Guide to Critical Thinking (Eleventh Edition), by M. Neil Brown and Stuart M. Keeley”, the authors examine the benefits of critical thinking as it relates to the process of asking the right kinds of questions. The authors state that critical thinking is a method used to improve the way we think by asking the questions that would enable you to reach a personal decision that would eventually give credit to both sides of a discussion. Critical thinking is, in essence, the analysis, synthesis and evaluation of one’s experience, as it relates to the worth of the discussion at hand. The authors define critical thinking as, “the awareness of a set of interrelated critical questions, the ability to ask and answer critical questions in an appropriate manner; and the desire to actively use the critical questions” (p. 4). This paper will evaluate the nature of critical thinking as an intellectual process and apply that to the memorandum date October 10, 2012 to Cynthia Castle from Anil Ravaswami to determine if the issue stated of whether the CEO of the company, Cliffside Holding Company of Massapequa (CHCM) should invest $100,000 per year in leadership training program for junior insurance executives. Browne and Keeley (2010) make it clear that a critical evaluation cannot be done until the conclusion is found and instructs the critical...
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...Halpern's framework for critical thinking. Reviewed below. B. Know the names of the eight activities (each has an alternate term, but just need to know the main ones on the picture), and be able to match up descriptions of these activities with the correct name. SEE YOUR HANDOUT. C. Know the steps in the paramedic method, and be prepared to apply them to a problem sentence. Steps given below. Diana Halpern's (1996) Framework for Critical Thinking Definition: Critical thinking is the use of cognitive skills or strategies that increase the probability of a good outcome. CT is purposeful, reasoned, and goal-directed. Answer the following questions: 1. What is the goal? First step in improving thinking is to be clear about the goal or goals. Sometimes there are multiple goals; sometimes the goal changes as we work on a problem. If the overall goal is not OPERATIONAL (i.e., "get a good grade" or "reach a good decision"), then identify operational goals (write clearly, address all elements of the assignment, evaluate the consequences of alternative decisions). 2. What is known? Review what is known. You may know more than you realize, once you start taking a census. You may also realize that some of the apparently information is not certain at all. If you are completing an assignment or solving a problem for someone else, review guidelines for the assignment and ask yourself what the person cares about and values in a solution. 3. Which thinking skills will get...
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...REASONING SKILLS SUCCESS IN 20 MINUTES A DAY REASONING SKILLS SUCCESS IN 20 MINUTES A DAY 2nd Edition ® NEW YORK Copyright © 2005 LearningExpress, LLC. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. Published in the United States by LearningExpress, LLC, New York. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data: Reasoning skills success in 20 minutes a day.—2nd ed. p. cm. ISBN 1-57685-493-0 1. Reasoning (Psychology) I. Title: Reasoning skills success in twenty minutes a day. II. Title. BF442.C48 2005 153.4'3—dc22 2005047185 Printed in the United States of America 987654321 Second Edition ISBN 1-57685-493-0 For information on LearningExpress, other LearningExpress products, or bulk sales, please write to us at: LearningExpress 55 Broadway 8th Floor New York, NY 10006 Or visit us at: www.learnatest.com Contents HOW TO USE THIS BOOK ix PRETEST 1 LESSON 1 Critical Thinking and Reasoning Skills The importance of critical thinking and reasoning skills, justifying your decisions, the difference between reason and emotion 15 LESSON 2 Problem-Solving Strategies Identifying the main issue of a problem and its parts, prioritizing issues 21 LESSON 3 Thinking vs. Knowing Distinguishing between fact and opinion, determining whether facts are true or tentative truths 27 LESSON 4 Who Makes the Claim? Evaluating credibility: recognizing bias, determining level...
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...Good Thinking Being Logical: A Guide to Good Thinking by D.Q. McInerny is an introduction to the science and art of thinking and living logically. The paperback version includes a preface and 137-pages that was published in 2005 by Random House in New Work and has a price tag of $12.95. The author, D.Q. McInerny, is a professor of philosophy and has taught logic at several institutes of higher learning before ending up at Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary in Lincoln, Nebraska. He has written works on religious philosophy and has collaborated on three text books concerning philosophy and logic. McInerny has written with conviction but believes that logic must be exercised in the educational process (McInerny, 2005). In this particular work, McInerny attempts to make his readers understand logic by seeing their surroundings and environments in an objective and critical manner (McInerny, 2005). He is able to do so in lay-man’s terms that almost any reader would be able to comprehend. This piece was written as a handbook for presenting the very basic values of logic to people who have never had the chance to practice it before. Those that have been well versed in logic before may easily lose interest in a work this simplified. Summary Being Logical is organized into five parts: 1) Preparing the Mind for Logic; 2) The Basic Principles of Logic; 3) Argument: The Language of Logic; 4) The Sources of Illogical Thinking; and 5) The Principal Forms of Illogical Thinking (McInerny...
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...Applying Critical Thinking: Analyzing Memo from FSEU Director of Human Resources to President, FSEU Local No. 343 Abstract The Illinois State intends to privatize the Department of Transportation (DoT) information systems management function. This function is currently being performed by 75 State employees, 43 of whom are members of Federated State Employee Union (FSEU) Local 343. On May 12, 2010 the Governor of Illinois notified the President of FSEU Local 343 about the State’s intent. The President of FSEU has asked the union members if the union should oppose the outsourcing proposal. On June 5, 2010 the FSEU Director of Human Resources responded to the President of FSEU Local 343 with the union member’s discussion and recommended opposing the outsourcing proposal. The paper uses the methodology from the book “Asking the Right Questions – A Guide to Critical Thinking” by M. Neil Bowne and Stuart M. Keeley, to analyze the memo from FSEU Director of Human Resources to the President, FSEU Local No. 343. Introduction The Illinois State intends to privatize the Department of Transportation (DoT) information systems management function. The Governor of Illinois notified Mr. Cesar Padilla, the President of Federated State Employee Union (FSEU) Local 343 about the State’s intent on May 12, 2010. The President of FSEU has asked the union members if the union should oppose the outsourcing proposal. In response to the request from the President of FSEU Local No. 343, Ms...
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...A Critical Thinking Analysis of Penn-Mart’s Health Care Strategy Revisions Dennis D. Puskas University of Maryland University College DMBA 610 September 21, 2014 Abstract The following paper will use a set of 10 critical thinking steps recommended by Browne & Keeley to objectively analyze the memorandum sent by Salvador Monella who is the Senior Vice President of Human Resources to the Board of Directors at Penn-Mart. Mr. Monella has conducted a review of Penn-Mart’s healthcare strategy involving a number of issues including cost to the company and employee involvement, to name a few. The purpose of the review, findings, discussion and recommendations will all be analyzed using critical thinking skills in an objective manner. As discussed in Browne & Keeley, the three dimensions of critical thinking will be used identify the best decisions available. Each of the 10 critical thinking steps and questions will be thoroughly explored and examined in a logical and systematic approach (Browne & Keeley, 2012). The final goal of the following analysis is to provide the reader with concrete examples of how to view the Penn-Mart business memo regarding their healthcare strategies. Question 1: What are the Issue and Conclusion? The issue and conclusion can be found both implicitly and explicitly in the last sentence of the memo contained within the “Purpose” section. Mr. Monella states that after their internal review of the matter at hand, he recommends that...
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...108 Alipato High School Students’ Reasoning Skills and Their Study Habits and Attitude Towards Learning Maricris B. Acido Introduction A major task of education programs is to come up with guidelines and tools to enable students to learn effectively. This is to ensure that students are able to acquire skills for them to carry out their academic and problem solving tasks. UNESCO acknowledges that: On the eve of a new century, there is an unprecedented demand for and a great diversification in… education, and for building the future, for which the younger generations will need to be equipped with new skills, knowledge, and ideals (UNESCO, 1998). The profusion of knowledge and information has led to an increase in the number of issues that students need to resolve inside and outside the school. Knowledge explosion also demands prudence and careful discernment from students who are to choose more relevant and sound data. This would require the acquisition of reasoning skills that would enable them to filter relevant information from irrelevant ones. Reasoning involves providing arguments, premises, justification, and evidence to claims or positions. However, acquisition of reasoning skills requires much from students. It requires good study habits and positive attitudes, as well as good contextual reinforcers and influences. Many educators have noted that learning is dynamic and that it does not occur in a vacuum. Learning happens due to various factors and influences. ...
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...The Difference of Deductive and Inductive Arguments of Mislead Reasoning LaQuisha Johnson Basic Critical Thinking Instructor: Krista Bridgmon Everest University The Difference of Deductive and Inductive Arguments of Misleading Reasoning Identify the differences between deductive and inductive arguments. The differences between that of deductive and that of inductive arguments is; that inductive reasoning is an argument form in which one of the reasons from premises that have been known or assumed to be true to a conclusion to which it was supported by the premises, however doesn’t follow logically from them (Chaffee, 2012/2009 p.456). See with reasoning inductively, your premises can provide the evidence that can make it more or less probable but isn’t certain that the conclusion is even true. For an example statements in the textbook one being a recent Gallup Poll that was reported that 74 percent of American public believed that abortion should remain legalized. Another inductive argument from the textbook is that on the average states that a person who has a college degree will earn over $1,000,000 more in that of their lifetime than that of a person who only has a high school Diploma. A third example of an inductive in the textbook states that in a recent survey that there was twice as many doctors that where interviewed that had stated that if they had been stranded on a desert island that they would choose Bayer Aspirin then to that of Extra Strength Tylenol...
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