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IntroductionUp until now we’ve been applying our analytical skills to relatively simple arguments. Now we will begin to apply those skills to extended arguments. What’s an extended argument? Well, I’m glad you asked: An extended argument is one that has a main conclusion supported by premises which themselves are in turn supported by sub-premises. When […]
Read More Critical Thinking: Extended Arguments and Inference IndicatorsIntroductionIn the last post we looked at the properties of a strong argument: (a) premise acceptability and (b) logical force (i.e., validity). The concept of validity can be further sub-divided into two components: (i) premise relevance and (ii) premise sufficiency. Now we’re going to look at the dark side of arguments: fallacies. Fallacies are […]
Read More Critical Thinking: Informal Fallacies Part 1: Red Herring and Straw ManIntroductionIn this section we are going to start learn how to detect BS. Lets move beyond the general notion of ‘bias’ and get more specific about biases and how the affect the strength and validity of arguments. Recall that one way we can classify biases is according to how much skin the arguer has in […]
Read More Critical Thinking: BS Detectors on Stun. How to Detect Illegitimate BiasesIntroductionThe previous chapter on arguments focused on how differences in systems of beliefs give rise to arguments. People with disparate systems of beliefs often hold differing values and beliefs, which in turn influence what they consider to be basic assumptions (to be used in an argument as premises).It should also be mentioned that sometimes the difference isn’t […]
Read More Critical Thinking: Biases, Vested Interests, and Conflicts of InterestsReviewHey guys, in the last section we looked at systems of belief from the point of view of the arguer. Doing so helps us to become better critical thinkers in two important ways: (a) it helps us to identify what might be hidden assumptions in the argument that we might (i) attack or (ii) (if we agree […]
Read More Critical Thinking: Systems of Belief 2: Know Your AudienceReview: In the last post we gave a formal definition to an argument: a set of reasons and evidence that support a conclusion. We also discussed the two main components of an argument: the premises and the conclusion. Recall that the conclusion is the central claim that the arguer is trying to make. If they do […]
Read More Critical Thinking: Arguers and Systems of BeliefSo, this meme has been floating around the intertubes for a couple of years. It popped up again in my feed. It’s such a great example of a poor argument. I’ve commented on it before, but not to the degree that you will soon experience. In the comments section, a friend and former roommate of […]
Read More Critical Thinking: Case Study on How to Lay the Smack DownIs The Fundamental Level of Reality Divided into Mind and Body? Or Are Mind and Body Two Aspects of an Even More Fundamental Reality? The answer to this question is the key distinction between Descartes and Spinoza. Lets unpack the two positions: In the Dualist view (Descartes) anything that exists is either an extended […]
Read More Dueling with Dualism Part 1
Wrestling with Philosophy 