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An introduction to critical thinking for young people. A brief look at the components critical thinking relies on (argumentation, logic, rhetoric, background knowledge and values & attitudes), with a focus on evaluating arguments in terms of logic and of plausibility of premises. Examples of contentious statements often heard nowadays are provided, but their analysis is made in the presentation narrative (audio and video).
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What is, and why be, a critical thinker
What‘s critical thinking anyway?
What‘s critical thinking?
Logic
Background knowledge
Attitudes, Values
The ability to use your own head, and
use it well
Argumentation
Rhetoric
Argumentation: let‘s put some words around it
Argument
Claims(premises + conclusion)
Valid / invalidGood / bad
Assumptions
Contentious ObjectionSocratic
questioning
premises ->conclusion
true
premises +
true or likely conclusion
Argumentation and logic
Logic Truth
Example:If all dogs can sing Puccini (P 1) and I own a dog (P 2) -> my dog can sing Puccini (C)
Premise 1 Premise 2
ConclusionPremises must be plausible / Truth condition
Conclusion must follow from premises / Logic condition
!
Good logic, bad argument?
Argument:
“Gay couples shouldn’t be allowed to marry because they can’t fulfil the proper function of marriage, which is the raising of biological children.”(see Critical Thinker Academy)
Critical Thinking and Background Knowledge
To see if an argument is good or bad Check the logic: assuming the
premises are right, does the conclusion follow from them?
If yes, check the truth value of the premises: are the premises true (or do I have good reason to accept them)?
Premises must be plausible / Truth condition
Conclusion must follow from premises / Logic condition
background knowledge
A slice of life
Those who are not with us are against us.
If we want more security we must give up some portion of our liberties.
We don’t think, we work. Please collect your litter when you
leave; remember your mum doesn’t work here.
Animals don’t have rights because they are not humans. They don’t have a conscience.
Why be a critical thinker?
To protect ourselves: politics, society, friends, sales & advertising; mind control, manipulation, influence
Stronger, more effective, more powerful in your own arguments
Beyond self-interest: community interests
Where I searched, and where you can go to search for more:
http://www.criticalthinkeracademy.com/
- a great resource (videos, audio podcasts) on critical thinking topics
http://www.criticalthinking.org/ - a useful glossary of critical thinking concepts
