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PHIL102: Introduction to Critical Thinking and Logic
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Course Syllabus
Course Syllabus
Unit 1: Introduction and Meaning Analysis
1.1: Introduction to Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking Skills
Discussion: The Importance of Critical Thinking
1.2.1: The Elements of Meaning
Meaning Analysis
Discussion: Definitions
1.2.2: Necessary and Sufficient Conditions
Necessity and Sufficiency
1.2.3: Thinking Critically about Ordinary Language
Meaning Analysis Continued
1.3: Assessing Sources
Research Skills Tutorial
Evaluating Sources and Peer Review
Evaluating Internet Material
Discussion: Finding and Assessing Sources
Unit 2: Argument Analysis
2.1.1: What Are Arguments?
What is an Argument?
More on Arguments
2.1.2: How to Tell an Argument from a Non-Argument
Identifying Arguments
The Standard Format of an Argument
2.2: Good Argument Form
Validity and Soundness
Validity, Soundness, and Valid Patterns
Quiz on Truth, Validity, and Soundness
Rounding Out Arguments
Hidden Assumptions, Inductive Reasoning, and Good Arguments
2.3: Visualizing How Arguments Work
More Complex Argument Structures
Argument Mapping
2.4: Analogical Arguments
Analogical Arguments
More on Analogical Arguments
2.5: Valid Argument Patterns
Valid Argument Patterns
2.6: Review of Argument Analysis
Discussion: Argument Analysis
Unit 3: Basic Sentential Logic
3.1: The Basics of Logic
What is Logic?
3.1.1: Logical Statements, Connectives, and Relations
Formal Methods of Evaluation
Statements, Logical Connectives, and Logical Relations
3.1.2: Logic Puzzles
Fun Logic Puzzles
The World's Hardest Logic Puzzle Ever!
3.2.1: How to Write Sentences in Sentential Logic
Propositional Logic Functions
Sentential Logic and Well-Formed Formulas
3.2.2: Connectives and Truth Tables
Truth Tables
Connectives
3.2.3: How to Draw Truth Tables for More Complicated Statements
Complex Truth Tables
3.2.4: Properties of Individual Well-Formed Formulas and Relations Between Them
Relationships in Truth Statements
Properties and Relations
3.2.5: Understanding Truth Tables
Understanding Truth Tables
3.2.6: How to Translate Ordinary Statements into Symbolic Formulae
Formalization
3.2.7: Formalization Practice
Propositional Logic and Symbolization
3.2.8: Two Methods for Determining the Validity of an Argument
Validity and the Indirect Method
3.2.9: Why Sentential Logic Is Not Enough
Material Conditional
Unit 4: Venn Diagrams
4.1.1: Venn Diagrams as Illustrations of Sets or Classes
Categorical Logic and The Venn Test of Validity for Immediate Categorical Inferences
Basic Notation
4.1.2: More Complicated Venn Diagrams
Venn Diagram Exercises
4.1.3: Illustrating Experience with Venn Diagrams
Universal Statements and Existential Commitment
4.1.4: Review of Introduction to Venn Diagrams
More Venn Diagram Exercises
4.2.1: Using Venn Diagrams to Evaluate Syllogisms
Venn Validity for Categorical Syllogisms
Syllogism
4.2.2: Understanding the Logic of Venn Diagrams
The Logic of Venn Diagrams
4.2.3: The Limitations of Venn Diagrams
Limitations of Venn Diagrams
4.2.4: Review of Venn Diagrams and Arguments
Even More Venn Diagram Exercises
Discussion: Venn Diagrams and Argument Validity
Unit 5: Fallacies
5.1: Introduction to Fallacies
What is a Fallacy?
5.2: Types of Fallacies
Formal versus Informal Fallacies
List of Fallacies
False Dichotomy, Causal Slippery Slope, and Appeal to Authority
Inconsistency, Irrelevance, Insufficiency, and Inappropriate Presumption
Exercises on Fallacies
5.3.1: Straw Man Fallacy
Straw Man Argument
The Straw Man Fallacy
5.3.2: Gambler's Fallacy
The Gambler's Fallacy
More on the Gambler's Fallacy
5.3.3: Begging the Question
Begging the Question
5.3.4: Red Herring
The Red Herring Fallacy
5.3.5: Ad Hominem (Against the Person)
Ad Hominem
5.3.6: Ad Ignorantium (Appeal to Ignorance)
Appeal to Ignorance
5.3.7: Ad Populum (Appeal to the People)
Appeal to the People
5.3.8: Complex Question (Double-Barreled Question)
Double-Barreled Question
5.3.9: Loaded Question
Loaded Question
5.3.10: Non Sequitur (It Does Not Follow)
Formal Fallacy (Non Sequitur)
5.3.11: Review of Fallacies
Discussion: Fallacies
5.4: Cognitive Biases
Cognitive Biases
Cognitive Biases Explained
Unit 6: Scientific Reasoning
6.1: The Basic Principles of Scientific Reasoning
The Hypothetical-Deductive Method
The Scientific Method Explained by a Scientist
What Makes One Scientific Theory Better than Another?
Discussion: Scientific Theories
6.2.1: The Basics of Causality
Causal Reasoning
Causation
Mill's Methods
6.2.2: Causality is More Than Just Cause and Effect
Causal Inferences
Correlation and Causation
Causal Diagrams
Discussion: Causation
Unit 7: Strategic Reasoning and Creativity
7.1: Strategic Reasoning
Classifying Problems
Solving Problems
Complex Systems
Charts and Diagrams
Making Good Decisions
7.2: Creative Thinking
Three Basic Principles of Creative Thinking
The Creativity Cycle
Creative Heuristics and Group Creativity
Discussion: Creative Thinking
Study Guide
PHIL102 Study Guide
Course Feedback Survey
Course Feedback Survey
Certificate Final Exam
PHIL102: Certificate Final Exam
Saylor Direct Credit
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PHIL102: Introduction to Critical Thinking and Logic
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Course Syllabus
Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking Skills
Discussion: The Importance of Critical Thinking
Meaning Analysis
Discussion: Definitions
Necessity and Sufficiency
Meaning Analysis Continued
Research Skills Tutorial
Evaluating Sources and Peer Review
Evaluating Internet Material
Discussion: Finding and Assessing Sources
What is an Argument?
More on Arguments
Identifying Arguments
The Standard Format of an Argument
Validity and Soundness
Validity, Soundness, and Valid Patterns
Quiz on Truth, Validity, and Soundness
Rounding Out Arguments
Hidden Assumptions, Inductive Reasoning, and Good Arguments
More Complex Argument Structures
Argument Mapping
Analogical Arguments
More on Analogical Arguments
Valid Argument Patterns
Discussion: Argument Analysis
What is Logic?
Formal Methods of Evaluation
Statements, Logical Connectives, and Logical Relations
Fun Logic Puzzles
The World's Hardest Logic Puzzle Ever!
Propositional Logic Functions
Sentential Logic and Well-Formed Formulas
Truth Tables
Connectives
Complex Truth Tables
Relationships in Truth Statements
Properties and Relations
Understanding Truth Tables
Formalization
Propositional Logic and Symbolization
Validity and the Indirect Method
Material Conditional
Categorical Logic and The Venn Test of Validity for Immediate Categorical Inferences
Basic Notation
Venn Diagram Exercises
Universal Statements and Existential Commitment
More Venn Diagram Exercises
Venn Validity for Categorical Syllogisms
Syllogism
The Logic of Venn Diagrams
Limitations of Venn Diagrams
Even More Venn Diagram Exercises
Discussion: Venn Diagrams and Argument Validity
What is a Fallacy?
Formal versus Informal Fallacies
List of Fallacies
False Dichotomy, Causal Slippery Slope, and Appeal to Authority
Inconsistency, Irrelevance, Insufficiency, and Inappropriate Presumption
Exercises on Fallacies
Straw Man Argument
The Straw Man Fallacy
The Gambler's Fallacy
More on the Gambler's Fallacy
Begging the Question
The Red Herring Fallacy
Ad Hominem
Appeal to Ignorance
Appeal to the People
Double-Barreled Question
Loaded Question
Formal Fallacy (
Non Sequitur
)
Discussion: Fallacies
Cognitive Biases
Cognitive Biases Explained
The Hypothetical-Deductive Method
The Scientific Method Explained by a Scientist
What Makes One Scientific Theory Better than Another?
Discussion: Scientific Theories
Causal Reasoning
Causation
Mill's Methods
Causal Inferences
Correlation and Causation
Causal Diagrams
Discussion: Causation
Classifying Problems
Solving Problems
Complex Systems
Charts and Diagrams
Making Good Decisions
Three Basic Principles of Creative Thinking
The Creativity Cycle
Creative Heuristics and Group Creativity
Discussion: Creative Thinking
PHIL102 Study Guide
PHIL102: Certificate Final Exam
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