quiz 6

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Lone Star College System, Woodlands *

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Philosophy

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Jan 9, 2024

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docx

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1. What are the three fundamental reasoning strategies listed in the text? Comparative reasoning, Empirical reasoning Ideological reasoning 2. What is comparative reasoning? On what skill is it based? Comparative reasoning occurs when a person projects what is familiar to them onto another thing that is unfamiliar to them with a view of understanding it better. In comparative reasoning, existing knowledge is used to inform the gathering of new knowledge. Comparative reasoning helps thinkers interpret, infer, and explain new (unfamiliar) concepts. Comparative reasoning relies on the skill of comparing with a view of developing a conclusion. 3. We learned four tests for evaluating arguments: truthfulness of the premises, logical strength, relevance, and non-circularity. How well do these tests work with respect to evaluating comparative reasoning? Consider each of the four tests. Comparative reasoning does not seek to determine whether a conclusion is true or not but to hypothesize, illustrate, and illuminate concepts using previously acquired knowledge. The four tests of evaluating arguments do not work well in evaluating comparative reasoning. Instead of the four tests, the five criteria of simplicity, familiarity, productivity, comprehensiveness, and testability would work better in evaluating comparative reasoning. The truth of the premises does not work in comparative reasoning because concepts under comparison are not linked in ways that a thinker would say one is truer than the other. Logical strength shows dissimilarity or similarity thereby making comparisons plausible but not logical or illogical. Relevance is not directly evident in comparative reasoning. A thinker must go out of their way to make observations that show relevance. Non-circularity does not apply in critical reasoning because comparative inferences originate from familiar to unfamiliar concepts. 4. Briefly explain how we can determine if one comparison is more comprehensive than another. We can determine the comprehensiveness of a comparison using the notable features contained in that comparison. In that case, one should check for the following features in the comparison; 1. Are the premises true? 2. How difficult is it to imagine counter-arguments? 3. Are the claims relevant to the truthfulness of the conclusion? 4. Does the truth of the premise rely on the truthfulness of the conclusion? A comparison that will contain all or most of these features will be deemed comprehensive. 5. According to the text, the basic question to ask when evaluating a comparison between two objects or ideas or events is “Are they alike enough in the important ways or not?” (p. 248). What are those “important ways” that determine the credibility of conclusions based on similarities ? The important ways entail persuasiveness and relevance. The comparisons should be persuasive just as they are similar. Notably, similarities improve the credibility of conclusions. When determining the credibility of conclusions based on similarities, relevance should also be checked. The premises should be relevant to the conclusions in both items of comparison 6. In your own words, define empirical reasoning. Empirical reasoning is a structured approach of using observation and experience to assess ideas and develop a conclusion. It entails the development of understanding following observation and analysis of data. It helps predict, explain, and control what happens. 7. What are the three defining characteristics of empirical reasoning? Openness to independent verification and scrutiny, Self-corrective, Inductive

8. What is meant by “the null hypothesis”? It is a proposal that there is no difference between variables or particular characteristics of a population. It is a type of hypothesis that proposes that variables are not correlated. The hypothesis indicates that with the exception of random chance, an association between variables does not exist. 9. What is the purpose of empirical reasoning? Empirical reasoning is essential in scientific research to assess the state of affairs in an area through observation or experiment in a natural setting. It helps in explaining, predicting, and controlling issues about a phenomenon, considering it is a credible and valid way of reasoning. 10. How do we evaluate empirical reasoning? Empirical reasoning is evaluated through a test of relevancy  Test for non-circularity  Peer review tests  Test for logical strength  Assessment of the truthfulness of the premises. 11. What part of a research study addresses the test for logical strength, and how is it addressed? The study design and the larger methodology section of the research are the logical strengths of the study. The study design and methodology show the data collection tools, data collected, and the analysis procedures done. The two sections reveal the reliability and validity of the study and instruments. Their choice is informed by the study questions and available resources (money and time). 12. Briefly explain the process of peer review. What is the process of peer review designed to do? Peer review is a process of subjecting scholarly research to assessment and interrogation by authorities in the field. In this case, authorities entail professionals (learned and experienced) in a given area. Peer review ensures research aligns with the standards in the area of study and with past findings. Peer review ensures the publication of quality research and ensures that published research aligns with existing knowledge. Peer review is designed to check and interrogate a study’s methodology and findings to check if it aligns with standards in an area of study. It assesses whether research is valid and reliable to enhance the uptake of its results and recommendations in practice. 13. The authors of our text state: “We have 40 years of data across multiple studies that confirm the positive correlation between taking a course in critical thinking and improvements in the students’ pretest to post-test critical thinking skills scores. It would be a mistake, therefore, all things being equal, to say that growth in critical thinking and taking a course in critical thinking are unrelated” (p. 290). The null hypothesis is false. Does that mean, therefore, that taking a critical thinking course causes students to become more skilled at critical thinking and more motivated to use those skills? Explain your answer The null hypothesis is that taking a course in critical thinking and growth in critical thinking are unrelated. The null hypothesis is false and that means that talking a critical thinking course helps learners gain critical thinking skills and motivates them to use the skills. The course is designed to help learners improve their understanding and their skills in the subject. The coursework challenges a learner to use the critical thinking skills. Skills are improved and perfected through practice. When students practice the critical thinking skill successfully, they improve their selfefficacy. The self-efficacy motivates them to use the critical thinking skill more. Therefore, taking the critical thinking course presents learners with the knowledge and motivates them to practice the skill. In the long run, they become better critical thinkers than they were at the beginning of the course. 14. If reasoning is empirical, contains statistics, and appears in print, should we take for granted that it has passed the four tests of truthfulness of the premises, logical strength, relevance, and noncircularity?

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