Critical thinking * Generally, critical thinking involves both problem solving and reasoning. * Specifically, critical thinking includes the ability to : i) Make observations ii) Be curious, asking relevant questions and finding the resources you need iii) Challenge and examine beliefs, assumptions, and opinions against facts iv) Recognize and define problems * Assess the validity of statements and arguments
Reason as a Way of Knowing * Deductive reasoning * Inductive reasoning * Logical fallacies * Informal reasoning
“All generalizations are false – including this one” Henry David Thoreau, 1817 – 62
“Logic (n) is the art of thinking and reasoning in strict accordance with the limitations and incapacities of the human misunderstanding.” Ambrose Bierce, 1842 – 1914
Deductive Reasoning * Any from of reasoning that moves from the general to the specific. * In deductive reasoning, an argument is made based on two facts, or premises. If the premises are true, then it should follow that the conclusion of the argument must also be true

Politicians * “High taxes are putting people out of work (general premise). Tax cuts are a better policy (premise 2). Tax cuts will give people jobs (reason)”

“Logic is the beginning of wisdom, Valeris, not the end.” Spock, STAR TREK
Deductive Reasoning * Deduction is the process of reasoning from two general premises, or things that are known, to a specific conclusion. These three parts are :
A . Major premise : Raising taxes will put people out of work
B. Minor premise : I will not raise taxes
C . Conclusion : People will not lose jobs * Hw Read / Take notes page 68 – 73
Qualities of a Deductive

It has two premises that provide a guarantee of the truth of the conclusion by providing support for it that is so strong that, if the