Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking: An Introduction
by Alec Fisher
A model for good decision making:
1. Be clear why the decision is necessary
2. Make sure you consider alternative possible courses of action
3. Consider the possible consequences of the various alternatives
4. Consider how likely/unlikely and how valuable/undesirable the possible consequences are
5. Take proper account of moral or ethical commitments.
6. Weigh up which alternatives is best in the light of the consequences
Arguments, explanations and so on, are always presented in some context, and context contains all sorts of assumptions, presumptions, background beliefs, relevant facts, rules of conduct, etc. Historical context can be very important in interpreting and evaluating an argument.
When someone presents an argument, explanation, or a similar kind of reasoning, it is very common for them to leave things unsaid which they nonetheless believe to be true and relevant to the issue, perhaps even vital to the issue. Almost all real arguments leave things unsaid -- which are in a certain sense assumed. When we use the word 'assumption', it is a belief which is clearly accepted or 'taken for granted' by a speaker but is not stated or made explicit by them.
The context of an argument can influence its interpretation and evaluation, largely because of the assumptions, presumptions and other background information which context can supply.
Analysis of arguments
1. What is the main conclusion?
2. What are the reasons (data, evidence) and their structure?
3. What is assumed (implicit or taken for granted, perhaps in the context)?
4. Clarify the Meaning (by the terms, claims or arguments) which need it.
Evaluation of arguments
5. Are the reasons acceptable? (including explicit reasons, unstated assumptions, facts, credibility of a source)
6. Does the reasoning support its conclusion? "beyond reasonable doubt"
7. What is your overall evaluation?
Clarifying ideas
1. What's the problem? (is it vagueness, ambiguity, a need for examples?)
2. Who is the audience? (background knowledge and beliefs)
3. Given the audience, what will provide sufficient clarification for present purposes?
4. Possible sources of clarification: dictionary dfinition, stipulating a meaning
5. Ways of clarifying terms and ideas: giving a synonymous expression (paraphrase), giving necessary condition (if and only if), giving clear examples, drawing contrasts (per genus et differentiam), explaining the history of an expression
6. How much detail is needed by this audience in this situation?
by Alec Fisher
A model for good decision making:
1. Be clear why the decision is necessary
2. Make sure you consider alternative possible courses of action
3. Consider the possible consequences of the various alternatives
4. Consider how likely/unlikely and how valuable/undesirable the possible consequences are
5. Take proper account of moral or ethical commitments.
6. Weigh up which alternatives is best in the light of the consequences
Arguments, explanations and so on, are always presented in some context, and context contains all sorts of assumptions, presumptions, background beliefs, relevant facts, rules of conduct, etc. Historical context can be very important in interpreting and evaluating an argument.
When someone presents an argument, explanation, or a similar kind of reasoning, it is very common for them to leave things unsaid which they nonetheless believe to be true and relevant to the issue, perhaps even vital to the issue. Almost all real arguments leave things unsaid -- which are in a certain sense assumed. When we use the word 'assumption', it is a belief which is clearly accepted or 'taken for granted' by a speaker but is not stated or made explicit by them.
The context of an argument can influence its interpretation and evaluation, largely because of the assumptions, presumptions and other background information which context can supply.
Analysis of arguments
1. What is the main conclusion?
2. What are the reasons (data, evidence) and their structure?
3. What is assumed (implicit or taken for granted, perhaps in the context)?
4. Clarify the Meaning (by the terms, claims or arguments) which need it.
Evaluation of arguments
5. Are the reasons acceptable? (including explicit reasons, unstated assumptions, facts, credibility of a source)
6. Does the reasoning support its conclusion? "beyond reasonable doubt"
7. What is your overall evaluation?
Clarifying ideas
1. What's the problem? (is it vagueness, ambiguity, a need for examples?)
2. Who is the audience? (background knowledge and beliefs)
3. Given the audience, what will provide sufficient clarification for present purposes?
4. Possible sources of clarification: dictionary dfinition, stipulating a meaning
5. Ways of clarifying terms and ideas: giving a synonymous expression (paraphrase), giving necessary condition (if and only if), giving clear examples, drawing contrasts (per genus et differentiam), explaining the history of an expression
6. How much detail is needed by this audience in this situation?
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