PHIL 447N: Package Deal - Logic & Critical Thinking

1. Question : (TCOs 2 and 3) In Chapter 1, we learned how to recognize the main issue in a passage. Consider the following example: “We have little choice but to concentrate our energy-policy effo rts on renewable resources because we don't have any idea how much longer fossil fuel sources will l...

Week 1: Claims and Reasons Using the textbook, what is the difference between a statement that is just a claim and one that is used in an argument? What makes some claims reasons and others conclus ions? Using the text or other source(s), provide a simple argument, and identify the claims, the reaso...

Review the section of Chapter 1 on Cognitive Biases (p. 17-22). Find an example of one of the biases, identify the bias, and explain the distortion it causes. You may choose your example from personal experience, something you have read, heard on the radio, or seen on TV or the Internet. Be sure to ...

Let's spend some time sorting out the premises and conclusions in some examples. Choose one of the statements below. Your task is to identify the premise(s) and the conclusion(s) of your example an d to negotiate among yourselves if you disagree. Additionally, discuss whether the premises or conclu...

Critical Thinking o After reading the required resources for this week and participating in the discussion, how do you define critical thinking? You will want to carry this definition with you, s o keep it brief – perhaps 4 to 6 lines. You will find many definitions online – don't be tempted to...

1. (TCO 6) In Chapter 4, we learned how to assess the credibility of a claim. Consider the following passage: “On Thanksgiving Day 1990, an image said by some to resemble the Virgin Mary was observ ed in a stained glass window of St. Dominic's Church in Colfax, California. A physicist asked to in...

1. (TCO 6) In Chapter 4, we learned how to assess the credibility of a claim. Consider the following passage: “On Thanksgiving Day 1990, an image said by some to resemble the Virgin Mary was observ ed in a stained glass window of St. Dominic's Church in Colfax, California. A physicist asked to in...

Self-Assessment Question: I believe our book is a trusted source of information, since it was written by an expert in the pertinent field. Initial Post: How important are facts in the process o f forming an opinion? Explain what you believe to be the purpose or function of facts in making a judgment...

Based on what you have read in the text, the lecture, and any other sources you find helpful to your understanding of deductive arguments, explain the structure of a deductive argument in your own wo rds. Answer: The structure of a deductive argument is its has three parts to it, which are the centr...

Truth function claims are composed of simple claims in which the claims are linked or related by logical operators. For example - the simple claim "Jack fell down the hill" has a truth value - it i s either true or false. It is a simple truth-functional claim. Truth-functional arguments, however, ...

1. (TCO 6) In Chapter 4, we learned how to assess the credibility of a claim. Consider the following passage: “On Thanksgiving Day 1990, an image said by some to resemble the Virgin Mary was obser ved in a stained glass window of St. Dominic's Church in Colfax, California. A physicist asked to in...

When I think of the term expert, I think of someone who has learned everything there is to know about something. This person has many years of experience in a certain field of work. They combine their knowledge and experience to be proficient and skillful in a certain area, and they can teach someon...

Post 1 I decided to sway a bit away from the typical fallacies and go with "Argument" from outrage fallacy. Our book defines "Argument" from outrage as an appeal-to-emotion fallacy that occurs when a speaker or writer “supports” a contention by trying to make us angry rather than by producin...

PHIL 447N Week 5 Quiz (MCQs) 1. Question : (TCOs 1 & 2) Categorical logic originated with the work of Aristotle, and it is based on information group ed in classes based upon which pair of logical principles? Student Answer: Inclusion and proportion Exclusion and translation Exclusion and discrimina...