D265 CRITICAL THINKING EXAM
REVIEW QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS
Formal Fallacies - Answer-(Form) A defect or error traceable to the very structure (or
form) of the argument
Informal Fallacies - Answer-(Content) A defect which can be detected only by reference
to the content of an argument
If I set a world speed record, then I will win the race. I won the race. So, I must have set
a world speed record. What form does the above argument have? - Answer-Affirming
the consequent
If the light is red, then you should stop. The light is not red. Therefore, you should not
stop. What form does the above argument have? - Answer-Denying the antecedent
How can you guard against an informal fallacy as a weapon of humiliation? - Answer-
Ensure that you have done your research and have enough relevant evidence to
support your claims
How can you promote the goal of connection and understanding when in discussions
that can include informal fallacies or in any conversation? - Answer-An informal fallacy
occurs because of an error in reasoning. Fallacies can help you put claims and
evidence together in persuasive ways and help you evaluate the quality of arguments
that you encounter
What is a fallacy fallacy? - Answer-A claim that has been poorly argued, or a fallacy has
been made, that the claim itself must be wrong
What do you need to watch out for in a fallacy fallacy? - Answer-Proven wrong with
reasoning and further examination
What value is added when you seek first to understand? - Answer-People are more
likely to listen before we speak
Which of the following is an accurate characterization of "fallacy" as that term is used in
logic?
- A fallacy is a formal violation of a state law
- A fallacy is a false claim
- A fallacy is a diliberate attempt to deceive
, - A fallacy is a common mistake in reasoning - Answer-A fallacy is a common mistake in
reasoning
What are the different types of inferences? - Answer-Deductive, inductive, abductive
What is the distinction between deductive and inductive inferences? - Answer-Inductive
reasoning is a bottom-up approach, while deductive reasoning is a top-down approach
Deduction - Answer-Arguments where the premises guarantee or necessitate the
conclusion
Deduction Examples - Answer-Mathmatical arguments, logical arguments, arguments
from definition
Induction - Answer-Arguments where the premises make the conclusion probable
Induction Examples - Answer-Analogies, authority, casual inferences, scientific
reasoning, explorations
Inference to the best explanation or abduction - Answer-Arguments where the best
available explanation is chosen as the correct explanation.
How is truth connected to propositions? - Answer-By corresponding to a way the world
is
Why is it important to think critically? - Answer-Individuals can evaluate information
objectively, consider multiple perspectives, and analyze complex situations more
effectively
Being curious and thinking creatively - Answer-Not believing things are simple and
settled, being willing to go the next step and think about all relevant positions and
arguments before settling into a belief
Separating the thinker from the position - Answer-Being able to discuss a position
without attacking or judging the person holding the position, without getting caught up in
our own attachment to a position, and without having our identities wrapped up in a
particular viewpoint or opinion
Having intellectual honesty, humility, and charity - Answer-Being honest about what we
know and how we know it. What evidence we have and what questions are not yet
settled; being humble in recognizing the vast number of things we don't yet know or
understand and in recognizing how very difficult it is to truly know anything at all and so
recognizing the the standards are high and we, most of the time, don't meet them (and
that's okay); and being charitable or having the disposition to attribute the best
intentions and most sophisticated positions and arguments that we can imagine to own
opponents in arguments
REVIEW QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS
Formal Fallacies - Answer-(Form) A defect or error traceable to the very structure (or
form) of the argument
Informal Fallacies - Answer-(Content) A defect which can be detected only by reference
to the content of an argument
If I set a world speed record, then I will win the race. I won the race. So, I must have set
a world speed record. What form does the above argument have? - Answer-Affirming
the consequent
If the light is red, then you should stop. The light is not red. Therefore, you should not
stop. What form does the above argument have? - Answer-Denying the antecedent
How can you guard against an informal fallacy as a weapon of humiliation? - Answer-
Ensure that you have done your research and have enough relevant evidence to
support your claims
How can you promote the goal of connection and understanding when in discussions
that can include informal fallacies or in any conversation? - Answer-An informal fallacy
occurs because of an error in reasoning. Fallacies can help you put claims and
evidence together in persuasive ways and help you evaluate the quality of arguments
that you encounter
What is a fallacy fallacy? - Answer-A claim that has been poorly argued, or a fallacy has
been made, that the claim itself must be wrong
What do you need to watch out for in a fallacy fallacy? - Answer-Proven wrong with
reasoning and further examination
What value is added when you seek first to understand? - Answer-People are more
likely to listen before we speak
Which of the following is an accurate characterization of "fallacy" as that term is used in
logic?
- A fallacy is a formal violation of a state law
- A fallacy is a false claim
- A fallacy is a diliberate attempt to deceive
, - A fallacy is a common mistake in reasoning - Answer-A fallacy is a common mistake in
reasoning
What are the different types of inferences? - Answer-Deductive, inductive, abductive
What is the distinction between deductive and inductive inferences? - Answer-Inductive
reasoning is a bottom-up approach, while deductive reasoning is a top-down approach
Deduction - Answer-Arguments where the premises guarantee or necessitate the
conclusion
Deduction Examples - Answer-Mathmatical arguments, logical arguments, arguments
from definition
Induction - Answer-Arguments where the premises make the conclusion probable
Induction Examples - Answer-Analogies, authority, casual inferences, scientific
reasoning, explorations
Inference to the best explanation or abduction - Answer-Arguments where the best
available explanation is chosen as the correct explanation.
How is truth connected to propositions? - Answer-By corresponding to a way the world
is
Why is it important to think critically? - Answer-Individuals can evaluate information
objectively, consider multiple perspectives, and analyze complex situations more
effectively
Being curious and thinking creatively - Answer-Not believing things are simple and
settled, being willing to go the next step and think about all relevant positions and
arguments before settling into a belief
Separating the thinker from the position - Answer-Being able to discuss a position
without attacking or judging the person holding the position, without getting caught up in
our own attachment to a position, and without having our identities wrapped up in a
particular viewpoint or opinion
Having intellectual honesty, humility, and charity - Answer-Being honest about what we
know and how we know it. What evidence we have and what questions are not yet
settled; being humble in recognizing the vast number of things we don't yet know or
understand and in recognizing how very difficult it is to truly know anything at all and so
recognizing the the standards are high and we, most of the time, don't meet them (and
that's okay); and being charitable or having the disposition to attribute the best
intentions and most sophisticated positions and arguments that we can imagine to own
opponents in arguments
