Critical Thinking: Statements, Propositions, Arguments, and Propositional Knowledge (Video Notes)

Flashcards in Q&A style covering key concepts from the lecture notes on statements, propositions, arguments, and propositional knowledge.

What is the difference between a statement and a proposition?

A statement is an assertion about whether something is the case; a proposition is the underlying thought or idea that the statement expresses. Different statements can express the same proposition, and the same statement can express different propositions in different contexts.

What is a premise?

A statement offered to support a conclusion.

What is a conclusion?

The statement that is said to be supported by one or more premises.

What is an argument?

A set of statements in which at least one conclusion is supported by premises; premises provide rational support for the conclusion; not every set of sentences is an argument.

What is Step Zero in the Argument Analysis Method?

Determine whether the words you encounter constitute an argument at all; some texts are descriptions or reports; a lone conditional statement by itself is not an argument.

What is Step One (Reconstruction) in the Argument Analysis Method?

Identify the argument type, reconstruct by identifying the premises and the conclusion, and understand how the premises are supposed to support the conclusion.

What is Step Two (Evaluation) in the Argument Analysis Method?

Assess the rational strength of the argument: do the premises genuinely support the conclusion? The focus is on rational merit, not rhetoric or persuasion.

Why is the method iterative (Step Zero before Step One before Step Two)?

Explicit reconstruction is typically needed before proper evaluation to avoid misinterpreting descriptions as arguments.

Where do arguments appear in real life?

In law, politics, everyday life, medicine, advertising; there is also an introspective dimension of internal arguments.

What is the definition of critical thinking given in the lecture?

The systematic analysis or formulation of arguments by rational standards; involves systematic methods and evaluation by rational standards rather than emotion.

What is analysis in this context?

Taking apart an argument into its premises, conclusion, and intended argumentative operation.

What are the three necessary ingredients of propositional knowledge?

Belief, Truth, and Justification.

What is the quick formulation for knowing p?

If you know p, then you believe p, p is true, and you are justified in holding p.

What did Plato contribute to the knowledge discussion?

True belief alone is not sufficient for knowledge; justification is essential; knowledge is justified true belief.

Can you have a true belief without knowledge?

Yes—true belief can occur by luck or without justification, in which case it is not knowledge.

What does the Earth being flat example illustrate?

Many believed Earth was flat, but it was not true; belief alone is not knowledge because the truth condition is not met.

What is the difference between propositional knowledge and know-how?

Propositional knowledge is knowledge of facts that can be stated as propositions; know-how is practical ability and not just factual knowledge.

What are declaratives, imperatives, and interrogatives?

Declaratives express propositions; imperatives express commands; interrogatives express questions and do not assert propositions by themselves.

How do beliefs influence actions?

Beliefs shape actions and life choices; the pursuit of knowledge is connected to how beliefs influence behavior.

What is the role of introspection in this course?

Evaluate both external arguments and the internal reasoning behind one’s own beliefs.

Are conditionals by themselves arguments?

No. If-then statements can be premises or conclusions within a larger argument, but a conditional alone is not an argument.

What is the purpose of reconstruction in Step One?

Identify premises and conclusion and clarify how the reasons are meant to support the conclusion.

What is evaluation focused on?

Judging whether the premises provide good reasons to believe the conclusion; assessing the strength and relevance of the reasoning.

What is the chicken noodle soup analogy for knowledge?

Knowledge requires three ingredients—belief, truth, and justification—just as soup requires three ingredients (chicken, noodles, broth) for the dish to exist.

What is the formal or summarized form of propositional knowledge?

Know(p) iff p is true, you believe p, and you are justified in holding p.

What is the distinction between descriptions and arguments?

Descriptions report events without attempting to persuade; arguments provide reasons; opinions without reasons are not adequate for rational assessment.

What is the practical relevance of critical thinking?

To identify, reconstruct, and evaluate arguments; strengthen rational beliefs and improve decision-making in life and work.

What is the wrap-up concept about belief, truth, and justification?

Propositional knowledge requires belief, truth, and justification; removing any one of these undermines knowledge; the goal is to improve reasoning and avoid unjustified beliefs.

What does the course emphasize about internal vs external arguments?

Evaluate external arguments and critique one’s own reasoning to improve intellectual reliability and decision-making.