1 Foundations of Critical Thinking Free Online FlashCards

What is critical thinking?

Critical thinking is the deliberate use of clear, reflective reasoning to decide what to believe or do.

What should you clarify when beginning to analyze an issue?

Identify the question at issue, clarify important terms, and separate what is known from what is inferred.

What is an assumption in an argument?

An assumption is an idea that reasoning relies on, whether or not it is stated. Making assumptions visible lets you test whether they are reasonable.

What makes a set of statements an argument?

An argument is a set of statements in which one or more premises are offered as reasons for a conclusion.

When is a deductive argument valid?

A deductive argument is valid when it is impossible for all its premises to be true while its conclusion is false.

How does an inductive argument support its conclusion?

An inductive argument uses evidence to make a conclusion more likely, but does not guarantee it.

What should you check when an argument relies on a survey?

Check whether the survey represents the population it describes; representativeness affects how strongly the evidence supports the conclusion.

What does the standard of clarity ask?

Clarity asks whether a claim is understandable and whether its key terms are explained.

What is an argument’s conclusion?

The conclusion is the point an argument is trying to support.

What role do premises play in an argument?

Premises are the reasons or evidence offered in favor of a conclusion.

What is a subargument, and why map one?

A subargument is a step in which a premise or intermediate conclusion receives support. Mapping these steps can reveal gaps in the reasoning.

What makes a deductive argument sound?

A deductive argument is sound if it is valid and all its premises are true.