CRITICAL THINKING

CRITICAL THINKING

Instructor Information

  • Instructor: Godwin Kwemarira, PhD

  • Course Code: BCOM2

LOGIC

Definition of Logic

  • Logic is defined as reasoning that is conducted and assessed based on truth or strict principles/validity or specific propositions.

  • Proposition: A proposition is a statement that signifies truth or falsehood.

Types of Logical Principles

Informal Logic

  • Informal logic employs both deductive and inductive reasoning to construct arguments.

Formal Logic

  • Formal logic relies on syllogism to make inferences.

  • Syllogism: This term refers to the complete form of an argument.

Symbolic Logic

  • Symbolic logic utilizes symbols to construct arguments.

Mathematical Logic

  • Mathematical logic makes use of mathematical symbols to form valid arguments, particularly relevant in quantitative decisions. Examples of symbols include:

    • Addition: +

    • Subtraction: -

    • Greater than: >

    • Less than: <

    • Trigonometric functions: sin, cos, tan.

ARGUMENTS

Definition of an Argument

  • An argument is defined as a reason or a set of reasons that is presented in support of an idea or action.

Types of Arguments

Deductive Arguments

  • Deductive arguments are designed to be valid, meaning the conclusion necessarily follows from the premises if they are true.

Inductive Arguments

  • Inductive arguments are constructed to be strong, moving from specific observations to broader generalizations to make a conclusion.

EVALUATING ARGUMENTS

Validity

  • Validity refers to the aspect of determining the truth inherent in a particular argument. To assess validity, one must evaluate the propositions involved.

Soundness

  • Soundness is defined as an argument that is both valid and supported by concrete evidence. An argument is considered sound if it is valid and all its propositions are true.

SPECIFICS ON HOW TO EVALUATE ARGUMENTS

  • Evaluation of arguments requires careful consideration of several critical aspects:

    • Evaluate the evidence presented in support of the argument.

    • Avoid reliance on personal experience, as personal biases can distort the assessment.

    • Be cautious with statistics, as they can be misinterpreted or manipulated to support misleading conclusions.

    • Determine proper definitions for key terms used within the argument.

Notes on Handling Large Arguments

  • It is important to read and understand how to effectively deal with large arguments in a systematic way.

RECONSTRUCTING REAL ARGUMENTS

To reconstruct real arguments, follow these steps:

  1. Re-read the passage or situation at hand to gain comprehensive understanding.

  2. Identify the conclusion of the argument.

  3. Identify the propositions that support the conclusion.

  4. Identify the evidence that substantiates each proposition.

  5. Make assumptions where necessary based on the context.

  6. Sketch out your reconstruction of the argument to visualize its structure and components.

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

  • Instructor: Godwin Kwemarira, PhD

  • Course Code: BCOM2

LOGIC

Definition of Logic

  • Logic is defined as reasoning that is conducted and assessed based on truth or strict principles/validity or specific propositions. It seeks to establish valid conclusions based on given premises to ensure rational discourse.

  • Proposition: A proposition is a statement that signifies truth or falsehood, forming the building blocks of logical reasoning by clearly defining what is being asserted.

TYPES OF LOGICAL PRINCIPLES

Informal Logic

  • Informal logic employs both deductive and inductive reasoning to construct arguments and analyze everyday reasoning, focusing on the context and content rather than formal structures.

Formal Logic

  • Formal logic relies on syllogism to make inferences, often represented in a structured format that clarifies the relationships between premises and conclusions.

  • Syllogism: This term refers to the complete form of an argument that demonstrates valid relationships between premises, leading to a conclusion based on the form of the argument. Familiar examples include:

    • All humans are mortal;

    • Socrates is a human;

    • Therefore, Socrates is mortal.

Symbolic Logic

  • Symbolic logic utilizes symbols to construct arguments, allowing for greater precision and the ability to manipulate logical expressions mathematically. The use of symbols helps to clarify and simplify complex arguments.

Mathematical Logic

  • Mathematical logic makes use of mathematical symbols to form valid arguments, particularly relevant in quantitative decisions. Examples of symbols include:

    • Addition: +

    • Subtraction: -

    • Greater than: >

    • Less than: <

ARGUMENTS

Definition of an Argument

  • An argument is defined as a reason or a set of reasons that is presented in support of an idea or action. In logical discourse, arguments are crucial as they provide the rationale and justification for beliefs and actions.

Types of Arguments
Deductive Arguments

  • Deductive arguments are designed to be valid, meaning the conclusion necessarily follows from the premises if they are true. Deductive reasoning ensures certainty in the conclusion based on the premises.

Inductive Arguments

  • Inductive arguments are constructed to be strong, moving from specific observations to broader generalizations to make a conclusion. This type of argument acknowledges the inherent uncertainty but allows for probabilistic reasoning based on evidence.

EVALUATING ARGUMENTS

Validity

  • Validity refers to the aspect of determining the truth inherent in a particular argument. To assess validity, one must evaluate the propositions involved, ensuring that the conclusion logically follows from the premises provided.

Soundness

  • Soundness is defined as an argument that is both valid and supported by concrete evidence. An argument is considered sound if it is valid and all its propositions are true, providing a reliable foundation for conclusions drawn.

SPECIFICS ON HOW TO EVALUATE ARGUMENTS

  • Evaluation of arguments requires careful consideration of several critical aspects:

    • Evaluate the evidence presented in support of the argument, ensuring its credibility and relevance.

    • Avoid reliance on personal experience, as personal biases can distort the assessment.

    • Be cautious with statistics, as they can be misinterpreted or manipulated to support misleading conclusions.

    • Determine proper definitions for key terms used within the argument to avoid ambiguity and ensure clarity in discussions.

NOTES ON HANDLING LARGE ARGUMENTS

  • It is important to read and understand how to effectively deal with large arguments in a systematic way. Breaking down arguments into smaller components can facilitate understanding and critical analysis.

RECONSTRUCTING REAL ARGUMENTS

To reconstruct real arguments, follow these steps:

  1. Re-read the passage or situation at hand to gain comprehensive understanding.

  2. Identify the conclusion of the argument.

  3. Identify the propositions that support the conclusion.

  4. Identify the evidence that substantiates each proposition.

  5. Make assumptions where necessary based on the context to fill gaps in reasoning.

  6. Sketch out your reconstruction of the argument to visualize its structure and components, which aids in clarifying complex arguments.