What is an argument?
A set of statements, one or more of which are claimed to provide support for or reasons to believe one of the others
An argument typically includes premises that lead to a conclusion.
What is a justified belief?
A good reason to believe certain things
Justified beliefs are often supported by evidence or rational reasoning.
Define critical thinking.
Careful determination if one should accept, reject, or suspend judgment about a claim
Critical thinking involves analyzing and evaluating arguments and claims.
What is a conclusion in the context of an argument?
The ending agreement
The conclusion is what the premises of an argument are intended to support.
What is a conditional statement?
A statement that is only right if another thing happens
Conditional statements often follow the form ‘if… then…’
What is a statement?
A sentence that is true or false
Statements can be evaluated for their truth value.
What constitutes knowledge?
P is true, S believes that P is justified, S (the believer) has to demonstrate it is true
Knowledge is often defined as justified true belief.
What is an echo chamber?
A social structure from which other relevant voices have been actively discredited
Echo chambers reinforce existing beliefs by excluding differing viewpoints.
What does an Expository passage provide?
Information explaining or relating to a particular topic
Expert passages can enhance understanding of complex subjects.
What are matters of opinion?
Unsupported claims
Matters of opinion lack sufficient evidence to be considered factual.
What is an epistemic bubble?
An information network from which relevant voices have been excluded by omission
Epistemic bubbles can lead to a narrow understanding of issues.
What is an illustration in the context of arguments?
An example that clarifies or supports a point
Illustrations help in understanding abstract concepts by providing concrete examples.
What is a true belief?
A belief based off of sufficient evidence
True beliefs are often distinguished from mere opinions by their evidential support.
What are matters of fact?
Generally accepted criteria on which the issue can be judged
Matters of fact are objective and verifiable.
What is a demises in critical thinking?
An element that leads to a conclusion about how to act
Demises refers to the reasoning process that guides decision-making.
What distinguishes a statement from a non-statement?
A statement is a claim, while a non-statement is a command or question.
What is the difference between a matter of fact and an opinion?
A matter of fact has general agreement, while an opinion does not have a ground base.
Why is critical thinking considered normative?
It tells us what we ought to do.
What is the critical thinking methodology?
A stable method for how to think critically.
What is the purpose of analogies in critical thinking?
To illustrate concepts.
What does it mean to want beliefs based on reality?
Beliefs should be based on facts, not what we want to be true.
How are knowledge and belief related?
A belief must be tested and true to become knowledge.
Why is having a true belief inadequate for knowledge?
Good results can be obtained by a bad method.
What is an instilled belief?
A belief for which one has good reason to believe.
