Reasoning Creating a Valid Argument

Reasoning

The process of creating or generating conclusions from evidence

Connects evidence to the claim

Creates the logic of the argument

Definition

1. Deductive

Types of Reasoning

Reasoning from a specific instance to a general conclusion

Reasoning from a general statement to a specific conclusion

2. Inductive

Deductive

Reasoning Model

General Statement

Inductive Specific Instances

Specific Instances

Deductive

Reasoning Model

Those who take the thinking class do well.

Inductive

Susan took the Thinking class and now makes good decisions

Justin will make good decisions.

Hector took the Thinking class and now makes good decisions

Regina took the Thinking class and now makes good decisions

Anosh took the Thinking class and now makes good decisions

Justin is taking the Thinking class

1. Major Premise

Deductive Reasoning

Jim Marteney is a critical thinking teacher

All critical thinking teachers are “stud muffins”

2. Minor Premise (observation)

Jim Marteney is a

3. Conclusion

“stud muffin”

Valid? -

Accurate? -

yes

no

Not Good at Deductive Reasoning

Good at Deductive Reasoning

Example

Causal

Sign

Comparison

Authority

Numerous specific instances

One instance caused by another

One instance indicates another

Analogies or what similarities exist

What a credible source says

Types of Inductive Reasoning

An error in reasoning

Different from a factual error

A mistake in the validity of an argument

Fallacies

False Dilemma

A false range of choices

Often stated as “either” “or”

Fallacies

“You either support the President, or you hate this country.”

ad hominem

Latin for “against the man”

Denying the argument just because of the source

Fallacies

“You can’t believe that report, it was on Fox News.”

Hasty Generalization

Draws a conclusion on too few examples

The examples may not be typical of the entire population

Fallacies

“I dated a red head once and she was crazy. All red heads are crazy.”

Post hoc propter hoc

After this, therefore because of this

A mistake that because one thing happens, so does another

Fallacies

Often a source for superstitions