Philosophy Stack Exchange
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Questions tagged [critical-thinking]

41 questions
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Is the principle of non-contradiction self-evident?

The principle of non-contradiction is that contradictory propositions cannot both be true, e. g. the two propositions "A is B" and "A is not B" are mutually exclusive. However, whenever something is used as a criterion for truth (like the principle…
user3776022
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Rigorous, modern introductions to informal reasoning and critical thinking?

This is a reference request. I'm looking for a modern, rigorous, and intelligently written introductory book on informal logical reasoning and critical thinking, aimed at a non-mathematical audience (think lawyers, the general educated reader). Here…
symplectomorphic
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Question about Cogito, ergo sum

As far as I know Decartes tried to prove that he existed from the fact that he was thinking. And he thought this was only proof. My question is following: -- why is the argument brought up above, stronger, than argument like this for example, I can…
don
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Is there a name for the fallacy where you pretend some universal fact is particular evidence for your claim?

I feel like this fallacy should have a name. Here is the toy example. Alice and Bob have one loaf of bread between them. For some reason only one of them is allowed eat the bread; they cannot share it. Alice says "I should have the bread because if…
Daron
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Information paradox: the more we know, the less confident we are

I've been studying critical thinking and come across what looks like a paradox. Let's say we have the following argument: P1) If a person is A, then it's likely that that person is also B. P2) This person is A. C) This person is likely to be…
Vlad
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What are the differences between idealism and notion of magical thinking?

I am now viewing a "documentary" called Enlightenment which is full of new age nonsense, but I am not able to make a good argument about some of the thoughts laid out there. For example, one of the narrators state, that since the era of Pythagoras…
user
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Necessary or Sufficient

Vitamin C prevents scurvy (a disease that kills due to a lack of vitamin C). Many fruits and vegetables contain vitamin C. What type of condition is vitamin C to preventing scurvy? I think that vitamin C is a necessary and sufficient condition…
Jack
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Is this an example of the fallacy of affirming the consequent?

Would this be an example of the "fallacy of affirming the consequent"? If suspect X did the deed, then we would find evidence A, B, C and D. And, yes, look, here is evidence A, B, C and D. So suspect X is the felon.
Jack
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Does an argument require an explicit statement of conclusion?

The book I'm reading Critical Thinking by Brooke Noel Moore, Richard Parker says that the following is an argument. John Montgomery has been the Eastern Baseball League’s best closer this season. Unfortunately, when a closer fails, as Montgomery did…
Santiago
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What does the term "critical realism" mean in 2021

I cannot help but notice the increasing tendency of late to ambiguate the term “critical,” ostensibly in the service of rhetorical ends. My concern here is with the sense of that term in the concept of “critical realism.” Is it the traditional …
gonzo
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Is the distinction between fact and opinion, and objectivity and subjectivity universal or cultural?

I noticed in certain cultures that I interact with here in Malaysia, it seems that the distinction between fact-opinion and objectivity-subjectivity is non-existent. Whereas in STEM and the scientific method, this is a must for practitioners to know…
Chris Edward
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Recommend a book that teaches fact versus opinion

I would like to find a book or some reliable source that explains how to teach the difference between a fact and an opinion. I would like this to appeal to as many people as possible, many ages, many backgrounds, and so on. So I have in mind…
H. Eck
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Is it true that an argument cannot be both inductive and cogent?

I have been asked a question in class where we would need to pick out the false statement from a given set of options. The problem is that I am not really sure why my answer was wrong? Here is the question: Which of the following is false? A) One…
Flavio Esposito
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What Is Critical Thinking, and How Does One Go About Learning It?

I am a freshmen taking an 'Effective/Logical Reasoning' course as an elective. Admittedly, I thought it would be something I could understand easily, but I soon found that this is not something I can grasp easily. Is there a way I can improve my…
Iva
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What is the premise and conclusion here?

"Half of the American population believes that the universe is 6000 years old. They are wrong about this. Declaring them so is not 'irreligious intolerance'. It is intellectual honesty." -Excerpt from Introduction to Logic, page no.12. (the author…
Mumukshu
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