Critical Reflection A Textbook for Critical Thinking

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 th...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors Murray, Malcolm, Kujundzic, Nebojsa
Format eBook
LanguageEnglish
Published Montreal MQUP 26.04.2005
McGill-Queen's University Press
Edition1
Subjects
Critical theory
Critical thinking
Philosophy
PHILOSOPHY / Reference
Reasoning
Textbooks
Online AccessGet full text
ISBN9780773528796
0773528792
DOI10.1515/9780773583580

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Table of Contents:
  • Front Matter Table of Contents Preface Acknowledgments 1: Overview 2: Argument Components 3: Mapping an Argument 4: Language Use 5: Definitions 6: Acceptability Conditions 7: Categorical Logic: 8: Categorical Logic: 9: Propositional Logic: 10: Propositional Logic: 11: Causation and Probability 12: Science 13: Arguments by Analogy 14: Fallacies Appendix One Appendix Two Appendix Three Bibliography Index
  • Intro -- 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
  • Contents --
  • Overview --
  • Propositional Logic: Validity --
  • Meaning --
  • Preface --
  • Answers to Selected Questions --
  • Index
  • Categorical Logic: Translation --
  • Front Matter --
  • Categorical Logic: Validity --
  • Argument Structure --
  • A Bad Essay --
  • Definitions --
  • Arguments by Analogy --
  • Hints for Writing Philosophy Papers --
  • Mapping an Argument --
  • Bibliography --
  • Acknowledgments --
  • Argument Components --
  • Language Use --
  • Logic --
  • Fallacies --
  • Causation and Probability --
  • Science --
  • Acceptability Conditions --
  • Truth --
  • Propositional Logic: Translation --
  • Induction --
  • Appendices --