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Understanding Logical Fallacies: Spotting Mistakes in Reasoning

This chapter explores key terms and concepts related to logical and critical thinking, including assumption, cause-and-effect reasoning, claim, deductive reasoning, fallacy, inductive reasoning, inference, qualifiers, reservation, value, and warrant. The review of logical fallacies and the fables presented illustrate the importance of avoiding flawed reasoning and making sound arguments. Additionally, students are encouraged to apply their knowledge of fallacies by researching and presenting examples in class.

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Understanding Logical Fallacies: Spotting Mistakes in Reasoning

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  1. Chapter 6 Logical and Critical Thinking

  2. Key Terms • Assumption An untested belief, often unconscious and usually unstated, that something is a fact. • Cause-and-effect reasoning Inferring that one occurrence causes another on the basis of observing a relationship between the two. • Claim The conclusion or argument that is inferred on the basis of data and reasoning. • Deductive reasoning Drawing a conclusion about a specific case from a general or universal statement.

  3. Key Terms • Fallacy An inference from data to a claim that circumvents sound, logical reasoning. • Inductive reasoning Drawing a general conclusion from specific instances of an occurrence. • Inference A mental connection from data to a conclusion.

  4. Key Terms • Qualifiers Modifiers that indicate the degree of certainty of a given conclusion. • Reservation Recognition of possible arguments against a conclusion or claim. • Value A personal, internal understanding about the worthwhileness and importance of an idea, action, or way of being. • Warrant The rationale behind an inference that links evidence or data to a conclusion or a claim.

  5. Review of Logical Fallacies http://www.mdpme.com/FALLACY2.HTM

  6. Fables • A Crab And Its Mother • A Mother Crab once said to her son, "Why do you walk so one-sided my child? It is far more becoming to go straight forward." The young Crab replied, "Quite true, dear Mother; and if you will show me the straight way, I will promise to walk in it!" The Mother tried in vain but then submitted without remonstrance to the rebuke of her child. • Example is more powerful than precept.

  7. A Dog And His Reflection • A Dog, crossing a bridge over a stream with a piece of meat in his mouth, saw his own reflection in the water and took it for that of another Dog with a piece of meat like his but double in size. He immediately let go of his own and fiercely attacked the other Dog to get to the larger piece. Consequently, he lost both, because that which he grasped at in the water was merely a reflection, and his own fell in the stream and was swept away.

  8. What does this mean? • (1) Caution before proceeding. What you think you see may not actually be. (2) Beware the consequences to your own actions. Imagine possible unwanted outcomes before doing. (3) Keep what’s rightfully yours without attempting to grab what are rightfully others’!

  9. A Man And A Lion • As a Man and a Lion traveled together through the forest they soon began to boast of their respective superiority to each other in strength and prowess. As they were disputing, they passed a statue carved in stone depicting a lion strangled by a man. The Man traveler pointed to it and said, "See there! How strong we are! And how we prevail over even the king of beasts!" The Lion replied, "That statue was made by one of you men. If we Lions were able to erect statues ourselves you would see a man placed under the paw of a lion." • One story is good till another is told. • We prefer to see what we prefer to be true (e.g., art as reality).

  10. The Ants And A Grasshopper • The Ants were passing a busy winter's day drying grain collected in the summertime. A Grasshopper, perishing with famine, hopped by and earnestly begged for a little food. The Ants inquired, "Why did you not treasure up food during the summer?" The Grasshopper replied, "I had not enough leisure. I passed all my summer days in singing." The Ants then heckled in derision, "If you were foolish enough to sing all summer long, you must dance supper-less to bed in the winter." • Advance preparation provides the keys for subsequent success.

  11. Due next class • Apply the information in this chapter about fallacies by going to Stephen’s Guide to the Logical Fallacies, at http://www.mdpme.com/FALLACY2.HTM. Pick any of the fallacies listed that seem interesting to you. Read thoroughly and study intensively, as it will prepare you for the next step. Bring an example of your selected fallacy to class. (For example: bring a newspaper article, editorial, comic strip, or an advertisement from any media you can transport and present to the class.) Be ready to explain the fallacy, using your example, and tell the class how to prevent mistakenly using the fallacy in group decision making, presentations, or written reports. Also, be ready to tell your team how they can detect this fallacy as critical listeners.

  12. Visit this site • http://www.virtualsalt.com/evalu8it.htm

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