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- https://human.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Philosophy/A_Miniguide_to_Critical_Thinking_(Lau)This miniguide introduces some of the basic concepts and principles of critical thinking.
- https://human.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Philosophy/A_Miniguide_to_Critical_Thinking_(Lau)/01%3A_Chapters/1.04%3A_Necessary_and_Sufficient_ConditionsTo say that X is a necessary condition for Y is to say that it is impossible to have Y without X. To show that X is not a necessary condition for Y, we simply find a situation where Y is present but X...To say that X is a necessary condition for Y is to say that it is impossible to have Y without X. To show that X is not a necessary condition for Y, we simply find a situation where Y is present but X is not. To say that X is a sufficient condition for Y is to say that the presence of X guarantees the presence of Y. Expressions such as If X then Y, or X is enough for Y, can also be understood as saying that X is a sufficient condition for Y.
- https://human.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Philosophy/A_Miniguide_to_Critical_Thinking_(Lau)/01%3A_Chapters/1.07%3A_Validity_and_SoundnessThe argument is not valid because it is possible that the premise is true and the conclusion is false. It is possible to have a valid argument where the premises are false but the conclusion is true. ...The argument is not valid because it is possible that the premise is true and the conclusion is false. It is possible to have a valid argument where the premises are false but the conclusion is true. Given a valid argument, all we know is that if the premises are true, so is the conclusion. If an argument is valid, and all the premises are true, then it is a sound argument. Anyone who disagree would have to show that not all the premises are true, or the argument is not valid, or both.
- https://human.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Philosophy/A_Miniguide_to_Critical_Thinking_(Lau)/01%3A_Chapters/1.12%3A_Going_forwardFirst, we need to learn the principles of critical thinking, such as some basic logic and the typical fallacies that people make. Knowing the rules and principles of tennis is not enough to become a g...First, we need to learn the principles of critical thinking, such as some basic logic and the typical fallacies that people make. Knowing the rules and principles of tennis is not enough to become a good player, since you might not know how to apply what you know. http://philosophy.hku.hk/think– Critical thinking web, a website produced by the author of this guide, with free tutorials and exercises on critical and creative thinking.
- https://human.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Philosophy/A_Miniguide_to_Critical_Thinking_(Lau)/01%3A_Chapters/1.06%3A_Basic_Logical_ConceptsTo use a typical example, suppose we want to praise a person X but are not sure whether X is the best or not, we might use the weaker claim “X is one of the best” rather than the stronger “X is the be...To use a typical example, suppose we want to praise a person X but are not sure whether X is the best or not, we might use the weaker claim “X is one of the best” rather than the stronger “X is the best”. So we need not be accused of speaking falsely even if it turns out that X is not the best. Here,an argument is taken to be a list of statements, one of which is the conclusion and the others are the premises (assumptions) of the argument.
- https://human.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Philosophy/A_Miniguide_to_Critical_Thinking_(Lau)/zz%3A_Back_Matter
- https://human.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Philosophy/A_Miniguide_to_Critical_Thinking_(Lau)/01%3A_Chapters/1.02%3A_MeaningThe literal meaning of a sentence is determined by its syntax and the conventional meaning of the words in the sentence. If there is a dispute about the contract, ultimately it is settled by looking a...The literal meaning of a sentence is determined by its syntax and the conventional meaning of the words in the sentence. If there is a dispute about the contract, ultimately it is settled by looking at the literal meaning of the terms, and not by what one or the other party thinks was implied implicitly.
- https://human.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Philosophy/A_Miniguide_to_Critical_Thinking_(Lau)/01%3A_Chapters/1.03%3A_DefinitionsThe definiendum is the term that is to be defined, whereas the definiens is the group of words or concepts used in the definition that is supposed to have the same meaning as the definiendum. For exam...The definiendum is the term that is to be defined, whereas the definiens is the group of words or concepts used in the definition that is supposed to have the same meaning as the definiendum. For example, someone against abortion might define “abortion” as the murder of an innocent child inside the womb.This definition carries a negative connotation, as the term murder suggests that abortion is wrongful killing, and it also assumes that the aborted fetus is already a person.
- https://human.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Philosophy/A_Miniguide_to_Critical_Thinking_(Lau)/01%3A_Chapters/1.10%3A_MoralityThe statement Peter thinks that abortion is wrong is a descriptive statement about one of Peters beliefs.There is not judgment of whether Peter is right or wrong so this is not a normative claim. If i...The statement Peter thinks that abortion is wrong is a descriptive statement about one of Peters beliefs.There is not judgment of whether Peter is right or wrong so this is not a normative claim. If it is a matter of whether something occurs in the environment without human intervention, then the claim that something is or is not natural is a descriptive claim.
- https://human.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Philosophy/A_Miniguide_to_Critical_Thinking_(Lau)/01%3A_Chapters/1.11%3A_Fallacies_and_biasesOn the other hand, if I found out that one of the people in the room could speak English and I immediately jumped to the conclusion that everyone could, then this mistake of reasoning was indeed a fal...On the other hand, if I found out that one of the people in the room could speak English and I immediately jumped to the conclusion that everyone could, then this mistake of reasoning was indeed a fallacy, and in this particular case the fallacy of over-generalization.
- https://human.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Philosophy/A_Miniguide_to_Critical_Thinking_(Lau)/00%3A_Front_Matter/01%3A_TitlePageA Miniguide to Critical Thinking
