1. Critical Thinking Review Notes
Notebook pg. _41__

2. What is critical thinking?
The ability to think clearly and rationally.

3. Functions Characteristics
Identifying and understanding ideas and arguments.
Analyzing and evaluating ideas and arguments.
Forming new ideas and arguments.
Is used in all subjects and fields.
Improves research and presentation skills.
Promotes self-reflection and creativity

4. Meaning Analysis (Clear Thinking)
It is important to clarify the meaning of a claim and the words in a claim in order to avoid misunderstandings and verbal disputes.
Example: If my claim is that the conflict in Darfur is genocide, I first must define what I mean by genocide. By doing so, it becomes clear what I must prove is happening for my claim to be true.

5. Types of Definitions
Reportive definition – The existing meaning of a term (dictionary definition)
Stipulative definition – Assigning a new meaning to a term
Precising definition – Making the existing meaning of a term more precise for some purpose

6. Problems to Avoid
Circular definition: Using a term in its own definition
Genocide - a genocidal act
Persuasive definition: Altering the meaning of a term to make it positive or negative
Genocide - the necessary killing of inferior people

7. Obscure definition: Being unclear
Genocide - Humanity’s greatest tragedy
Narrow definition: Being too specific
Genocide - The killing of Jews in Nazi Germany during World War II
Broad definition: Being too general
Genocide - The killing of multiple people

8. Argument Analysis (Rational Thinking)
An argument is an attempt to prove a statement (the conclusion) by making statements designed to support it (the premises).
Arguments should be evaluated based on:
Whether the premises are true.
Whether there is a logical connection between the premises and conclusion.

9. Deductive Arguments Are either:
Valid: When there is a logical connection that ensures that the conclusion must be true if the premises are true
Invalid: When there is no logical connection between the premises and conclusion
A sound argument is a valid argument with true premises.

10. Inductive Arguments Are either:
Strong: When the conclusion is likely to be true given that the premises are true.
Weak: When the conclusion is unlikely to be true even if the premises are true.

11. Sample Argument 1 My toaster is made of gold.
All items made of gold are time-travel devices.
Therefore, my toaster is a time-travel device.
Deductive or Inductive?
Deductive!
Valid or Invalid?
Valid!

12. Sample Argument 2
I like 3 out of 5 of the Steven Spielberg movies I have seen.
Therefore, I will like Steven Spielberg’s new movie.
Deductive or Inductive?
Inductive!
Strong or Weak?
Weak!

13. Sample Argument 3 The Pope lives in Vatican City.
Benedict XVI lives in Vatican City.
Therefore, Benedict XVI is the Pope.
Deductive or Inductive?
Deductive!
Valid or Invalid?
Invalid!

14. Sample Argument 4
No human has ever been able to see in complete darkness.
Human eyes require light in order to see.
Deductive or Inductive?
Inductive!
Strong or Weak?
Strong!

15. Sample Argument 5
Mr. Bush’s car is either an import or it is American-made.
Mr. Bush’s car was not made in America.
Therefore, Mr. Bush’s car is an import.
Deductive or Inductive?
Deductive!
Valid or Invalid?
Valid!