PHIL2100 - Introduction to Critical Thinking

A collection of vocabulary flashcards based on crucial concepts from the course.

Confirmation Bias

The tendency to favor information that confirms existing beliefs or hypotheses.

System 1 Thinking

Fast, automatic, and unconscious thinking that often leads to quick judgments.

System 2 Thinking

Slow, deliberate, and conscious thinking that involves reasoning and careful decision-making.

Critical Thinking

The ability to analyze and evaluate an issue in order to form a judgment.

Premise

A statement that provides support or reasons for a conclusion in an argument.

Conclusion

The statement that follows logically from the premises in an argument.

Validity

The property of an argument whereby if the premises are true, the conclusion must also be true.

Inductive Argument

An argument that infers a generalization based on specific observations.

Deductive Argument

An argument where the conclusion necessarily follows from the premises.

Cognitive Bias

A systematic pattern of deviation from norm or rationality in judgment.

Dunning-Kruger Effect

A cognitive bias where people with low ability overestimate their competence.

Fallacy

An error in reasoning that renders an argument invalid.

Ambiguity

The quality of being open to more than one interpretation.

Vagueness

Unclear or imprecise meaning that makes it difficult to understand the claim being made.

Subjective Claim

A claim that is true based on personal feelings, tastes, or opinions.

Objective Claim

A claim that can be verified or disproven regardless of personal feelings.

Value Claim

A statement that reflects someone's beliefs about what is good or valuable.

Prescriptive Claim

A statement that suggests what ought to be done or what is right or wrong.

Descriptive Claim

A statement that describes the way things are.

Argument

A set of claims where some premises function as reasons for a conclusion.

Indicator Words

Words used to signal the presence of premises or conclusions in an argument.

Fallacy of the Week

A specific reasoning flaw that is emphasized for study and discussion.

Heuristic

A simple problem-solving strategy that helps in finding adequate, though often imperfect, solutions.

Principle of Charity

A principle suggesting that one should interpret a speaker's argument in the strongest possible terms.