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A Checklist for Reasoning & Questions Using the Elements of Thought

A Checklist for Reasoning & Questions Using the Elements of Thought. The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking by Drs. Richard Paul & Linda Elder. 8 Items to Consider about Reasoning: All reasoning …. ...has a PURPOSE

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A Checklist for Reasoning & Questions Using the Elements of Thought

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  1. A Checklist for Reasoning&Questions Using the Elements of Thought The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking by Drs. Richard Paul & Linda Elder

  2. 8 Items to Consider about Reasoning:All reasoning… • ...has a PURPOSE • ...is an attempt to figure something out, to settle some QUESTION, to solve some PROBLEM • ...is based on ASSUMPTIONS • ...is done from some POINT OF VIEW • ...is based on DATA, INFORMATION, & EVIDENCE • ...is expressed through, shaped by, CONCEPTS & THEORIES • ...contains INFERENCES or INTERPRETATIONS by which we draw CONCLUTIONS & make data meaningful • ...leads somewhere or has IMPLICATIONS & CONSEQUENCES

  3. All reasoning… • ...has a PURPOSE • Can you state your purpose clearly? • What is the objective of your reasoning? • Does your reasoning focus throughout on your goal? • Is your goal realistic?

  4. All reasoning… • ...is an attempt to figure something out, to settle some QUESTION, to solve some PROBLEM • What questions are your trying to answer? • Are there other ways to think about the question? • Can you divide the question into parts? • Is there one or possibly multiple “right” answers? • Does it require judgment rather than facts alone?

  5. All reasoning… • ...is based on ASSUMPTIONS • What assumptions are made; are they justified? • How are they shaping your point of view? • Which assumptions might reasonably be questioned?

  6. All reasoning… • ...is done from some POINT OF VIEW • What is your p.o.v.? What are basic insights; possible weaknesses? • What are other p’s.o.v. to be considered in reasoning through the problem; their strengths/weaknesses; are you being fair-minded in your consideration of the insights underlying these alternatives?

  7. All reasoning… • ...is based on DATA, INFORMATION, & EVIDENCE • Extent to which your reasoning is supported by relevant data? • Do these data suggest alternative explanations from those currently held? • How clear, accurate, relevant are these data given the question/problem under consideration? • Have you gathered sufficient data to reach a reasonable conclusion?

  8. All reasoning… • ...is expressed through, shaped by, CONCEPTS &THEORIES • What key concepts/theories guide reasoning • What alternative explanations might be possible given these concepts/theories? • Are you clear & precise in using these concepts/theories? • Are you distorting ideas to fit your p.o.v.?

  9. All reasoning… • ...contains INFERENCES or INTERPRETATIONS by which we draw CONCLUTIONS & make data meaningful • To what extent do the data support your conclusions? • Are your inferences consistent with each other? • Other reasonable inferences to be made?

  10. All reasoning… • ...leads somewhere or has IMPLICATIONS & CONSEQUENCE • What implications & consequences follow from your reasoning? • If accepted, your line of reasoning leads to which implications or consequences?

  11. Questions Using the Elements of Thought • Purpose • What am I trying to accomplish? • What is my central aim; my purpose? • Questions • What am I raising? • What am I addressing? • Am I considering the complexities?

  12. Questions Using the Elements of Thought • Information • What am I using in coming to my conclusion/s? • What experiences have I had to support claims? • What do I need to settle the question? • Inferences/Conclusions • How did I reach this conclusion? • Are there other ways to interpret the information?

  13. Questions Using the Elements of Thought • Concepts • What’s the main idea here? • Can I explain this idea? • Assumptions • What am I taking for granted? • What has led me to this conclusion?

  14. Questions Using the Elements of Thought • Implications/Consequences • If my position is accepted, what would be the implications? • What am I implying? • Point/s of View • From what p.o.v. am I looking at the issue/s? • Other p’s.o.v. that should be considered?

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