Components of & Components of & Barriers to Critical Barriers to Critical

ThinkingThinking1. Frames of reference1. Frames of reference

2. Thinking patterns2. Thinking patterns

Instinctual Thinking Instinctual Thinking PatternsPatterns

PrejudicePrejudice PartisanshipPartisanship ProvincialismProvincialism Herd instinctHerd instinct Availability BiasAvailability Bias

Thinking & ReasoningThinking & Reasoning Critical thinking doesn’t come naturally. In

fact, humans are instinctively terrible critical thinkers — we still have to overcome instincts to think critically. Critical thinking requires that we collect evidence from neutral sources, and make sure that we understand all sides of an issue. Unfortunately, the human brain is programmed to simplify. Unless we are vigilant, there are certain instinctual thought patterns that will derail our attempts at critical thinking. There are also thinking patterns that help us ensure that we are being critical thinkers and prevent us from “jumping to conclusions”.

Thinking Patterns: Soccer Thinking Patterns: Soccer AnalogyAnalogy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfduUFF_i1A&feature=fvstv=LfduUFF_i1A&feature=fvst

Statements & Statements & PrepositionsPrepositions

Methods of expressing different Methods of expressing different kinds of knowledgekinds of knowledge

LogicLogic Formal logic: used to create Formal logic: used to create

proofs, language and rules of proofs, language and rules of logic are concrete and used to logic are concrete and used to come to conclusionscome to conclusions

Informal logic: critical thinkingInformal logic: critical thinking

Formal Logic: Modus Formal Logic: Modus ponensponens

If If PP then then QQ. . P,P, Therefore, Therefore, QQ. . If this object is made of copper, it will conduct If this object is made of copper, it will conduct

electricity. This object is made of copper, so it will electricity. This object is made of copper, so it will conduct electricity. conduct electricity.

If there is no largest prime number, then 510511 If there is no largest prime number, then 510511 is not the largest prime number. There is no is not the largest prime number. There is no largest prime number. Therefore 510511 is not largest prime number. Therefore 510511 is not the largest prime number. the largest prime number.

If Lam is a Buddhist then he should not eat pork. If Lam is a Buddhist then he should not eat pork. Lam is a Buddhist. Therefore Lam should not eat Lam is a Buddhist. Therefore Lam should not eat pork.pork.

Affirming the consequent Affirming the consequent - If - If PP then then QQ. . QQ. . Therefore, Therefore, PP. .

This is a fallacy…not to be confused with This is a fallacy…not to be confused with modus ponens!! Logic of conclusion modus ponens!! Logic of conclusion doesn’t match logic in the “law”.doesn’t match logic in the “law”.

If Jane lives in London then Jane lives in If Jane lives in London then Jane lives in England. Jane lives in England. England. Jane lives in England. Therefore Jane lives in London.Therefore Jane lives in London.

If Jane has gone shopping then Daniel If Jane has gone shopping then Daniel will be unhappy. Daniel is unhappy. So will be unhappy. Daniel is unhappy. So Jane has gone shopping.Jane has gone shopping.

Benefits of formal logicBenefits of formal logic Formal logic helps us identify patterns of Formal logic helps us identify patterns of

“good” reasoning & patterns of “bad” “good” reasoning & patterns of “bad” reasoning, so we know which to follow reasoning, so we know which to follow &which to avoid. &which to avoid.

Everyday users of formal logic: Everyday users of formal logic: Linguists, computer programmers, criminologists, Linguists, computer programmers, criminologists,

police investigators, pharmacists, etc., etc., etc. police investigators, pharmacists, etc., etc., etc. Many philosophers use formal logic when Many philosophers use formal logic when

dealing with complicated philosophical dealing with complicated philosophical problems, in order to make their reasoning problems, in order to make their reasoning more explicit and precise. more explicit and precise.

She’s a WitchShe’s a Witch

More Monty PythonMore Monty Python http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y

p_l5ntikaU

How’s The Logic?How’s The Logic?

Logic puzzles…Logic puzzles… Identify the logic & the fallaciesIdentify the logic & the fallacies Use the logicUse the logic

Remember we are assessing the LOGIC, Remember we are assessing the LOGIC, not the conclusions.not the conclusions.

Question to Consider: Does logic come Question to Consider: Does logic come easily to you? Are you able to work through easily to you? Are you able to work through logic problems quickly? What helps?logic problems quickly? What helps?