Reasoning

Analogy

likeness in some respects between things otherwise different; similarity; comparison

arbitrary

autocratic; despotic; tyrannical; proceeding from a whim or fancy

arbitrate

decide a dispute as a judge

axiom

self-evident truth

axiomatic

self-evident, expressing a universally accepted principle or rule

bias

opinion formed before there are grounds for it; prejudice; predilection; partiality

bigoted

intolerant; narrow-minded

bigotry

views or behavior of a bigot (one intolerantly devoted to one's own beliefs and prejudices); narrow-mindedness; intolerance

cogitate

think over; ponder

criterion

(n.) a rule, test; a standard for judgment or evaluation

crux

The most important or decisive point

deduce

derive by reasoning; infer

dilemma

a situation that requires a person to decide between two equally attractive or equally unattractive alternatives

dogmatic

asserting opinions in an arrogant manner

eclectic

choosing from various sources

fallascious

based on misleading or deceptive ideas

fallible

liable to be mistaken

heterodox

rejecting regularly accepted beliefs or doctrines; heretical; nonconformist

hypothetical

supposed or assumed true, but unproven

illusion

misleading appearance; false impression; misconception

indubitable

(adj.) certain, not to be doubted or denied

orthodox

generally accepted, especially in religion; conventional; approved

paradoxical

having the characteristics of a paradox (a self-contradictory statement which may nevertheless be true)

plausible

apparently reasonable and valid, and truthful

preposterous

senseless; absurd; irrational

rational

able to make decisions based on reason rather than emotion; sensible

rationalize

invent excuses for one's actions, desires, failures, etc.

sophistry

clever but deceptive reasoning

specious

superficially plausible, but actually wrong

speculate

reflect deeply on a subject; buy or sell with the hope of profiting by price changes

tenable

capable of being held or defended