+Critical Thinking and Writing31 August, 2015

Objectives:

identify common logical fallacies

More practice anaylsing arguments, inductive/deductive, main claim and key arguments, assumptions – in preparation for Assignment 1

Look at examples of logos, pathos and ethos

+Fallacies

Look at the fallacies in our community. In small groups, identify the fallacies.

+Fallacies

What kind of fallacy is this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaIXgLkMK9c

+In Defense of Superstition

Discuss the three questions before the article in a small group.

What is superstition?

+In Defense of Superstition

Look at the first two paragraphs and last two paragraphs. Identify the main claim (MC). Discuss in a small group.

What assumptions does Hutson make about superstition?

+In Defense of Superstition

This is the basic structure of an argument

Main Claim Key Argument 1

Supporting reasons / evidence / argument Key Argument 2

Supporting reasons / evidence / argument Key Argument 3?

Supporting reasons / evidence / argument

Etc.

+In Defense of Superstition

An argument should have one main claim. It is supported by some (two, three, four…) key arguments.

One key argument (KA) usually covers one-three paragraphs. It is an argument with reasons/evidence. This key argument supports the main claim (MC).

What are the key arguments in the Hutson article? Discuss in a small group.

+In Defense of Superstition

What is key argument one (KA1)? What is the supporting evidence? Is this an inductive or deductive argument?

+Questions for inductive reasoning

What is the sample size? Is it large enough?

Is the sample representative?

Have all the significant characteristics been considered? (sex, age, economic level, marital status, etc.)

In a poll, are the questions biased?

What is the credibility of the research institute that conducted the study? (Is it obviously biased? Is the data in a peer-reviewed journal? Etc.)

+Questions for inductive reasoningFind the Damisch article from the library. Locate the relevant experiment in the article. Answer the following:

What is the sample size? Is it large enough?

What is the difference between the control group and the experimental group?

Is the sample representative?

Have all the significant characteristics been considered? (sex, age, economic level, marital status, religion, etc.)

What is the credibility of the research institute that conducted the study? (Is it obviously biased?)

Is the data in a peer-reviewed journal?

+Inductive ReasoningWhat about key argument in paragraphs 3 and 4?

Present the premises.

Present the conclusion.

Are there enough examples?

Is the evidence reliable?

Are they representative / typical?

Are they true examples (secure)?

Did the author overlook important counterexamples?

Have all the significant characteristics been considered? (sex, age, economic level, marital status, etc.)

+Logos, Pathos and Ethos

You can watch the following video to review these topics:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKtQEnERhSY

This video demonstrates President Obama using logos, pathos and ethos as he discusses his response to Syrian government’s poison gas attack against his own citizens:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wc1TrKIzAJM

+For next time:

Watch the Bill Gates video: to prepare for tutorial 6, focus on 0:00 – 7:07 of the video. Think about Gates’ arguments.

For tutorial 7, following the three steps of Assignment 1, analyze “In Defense of Superstition”. Bring two printed copies of your draft to class. Note well: your tutor cannot give you specific feedback on your actual Assignment 1 draft.