Critical Reflection : A Textbook for Critical Thinking

An introductory textbook on critical thinking full of real-life examples and exercises from contemporary sources. Contents Preface Acknowledgments Part One: Argument Structure 1 Overview 1.1 Philosophy and Critical Thinking 1.2 Autonomy 1.3 What Is an Argument? 1.4 Premises and Conclusions 1.5 Assessing Arguments 1.6 Cogency 2 Argument Components 2.1 Premises and Conclusions 2.2 Propositions and Sentences 2.3 Inference Indicators 2.4 Explanations 2.5 Modalities 2.6 Suppressed Propositions and Assumptions 3 Mapping an Argument 3.1 Diagramming 3.2 Serial, Convergent, and Linked Arguments 3.3 Diagramming Arguments with Missing Propositions 3.4 Visual Arguments 3.5 Counter-Considerations Part Two: Meaning 4 Language Use 4.1 Euphemism and Doublespeak 4.2 Form and Intent 4.3 Reading between the Lines 4.4 Biases and Vested Interests 4.5 Recognizing a Slanted Argument 4.6 Weasel Words 4.7 Obfuscation 4.8 Different Kinds of Disagreement 5 Definitions 5.1 Verbal Disputes 5.2 Purposes of Definition 5.3 Types of Definitions 5.4 Types of Meaning 5.5 Evaluating Genus and Difference Definitions Part Three: Truth 6 Acceptability Conditions 6.1 Truth and Acceptability 6.2 A Few Preliminaries 6.3 Acceptance Criteria 6.4 Rejection Criteria Part Four: Logic 7 Categorical Logic: Translation 7.1 Logic and Validity 7.2 Categorical Propositions 7.3 Natural Language 7.4 Syllogisms 7.5 Venn Diagramming 8 Categorical Logic: Validity 8.1 Testing Validity 8.2 Extended Categorical Arguments 8.3 More on Translation 8.4 A Non-Venn Test for Validity 9 Propositional Logic: Translation 9.1 Preliminaries 9.2 Translation 9.3 Truth Values 10 Propositional Logic: Validity 10.1 Logical Forms 10.2 Complex Argument Forms 10.3 Proofs 10.4 Immediate Inferences 10.5 Invalid Forms 10.6 Contradiction 10.7 A Puzzle about Logic Part Five: Induction 11 Causation and Probability 11.1 Inductive Generalizations 11.2 Causation 11.3 Probabilistic Reasoning 12 Science 12.1 The Scientific Method 12.2 Science and Its Critics 13 Arguments by Analogy 13.1 Analogical Reasoning 13.2 Analogical Argument Form 13.3 Appraising Analogical Arguments 13.4 Refutation by Logical Analogy Part Six: Fallacies 14 Fallacies 14.1 Problems with Premises 14.2 Problems with Relevance 14.3 Problems with Sufficiency Appendices 1 Answers to Select Questions 2 A Bad Essay: “Vegetarianism and Moral Duty” 3 Hints for Writing Philosophy Papers Bibliography Index A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Z In an era of information overload, our need to learn how to critically evaluate the growing flood of information has never been greater. Critical Reflection showcases the role of reason in a world saturated by media-enhanced persuasion and complex scientific and technological jargon. Drawing from the classic philosophical texts, this engaging textbook on the art of analyzing arguments is also relevant to today's undergraduates in its use of real-life examples and exercises drawn mainly from media and politics. Malcolm Murray and Nebojsa Kujundzic cover the standard subjects in a one-semester course on critical thinking, offering ways to analyze arguments in the following areas: * language use * acceptability conditions for truth * categorical and propositional logic * induction * causal claims * probability reasoning * analogical reasoning * an in-depth analysis of informal fallacies Critical Reflection further distinguishes itself with in-depth answers to chapter exercises that are incorporated directly into the authors' detailed discussions. This is an ideal textbook to help professors foster autonomous thinking among their students. In an era of information overload, our need to learn how to critically evaluate the growing flood of information has never been greater. This title showcases the role of reason in a world saturated by media-enhanced persuasion and complex scientific and technological jargon.