Critical Reasoning as an Academic Aid for SchoolsA One day Workshop
Carin Goodwin
(MA Philosophy)
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Section A: Premises (reasons) and conclusions (claims)
Class discussion:
An argument can be distinguished by the fact that it offers reasons in support of its conclusion/s. But it is not always the case that an argument is effective or successful. In other words, sometimes the reasons it offers in support of its conclusions do not do so.
Validity: A valid argument is an argument wherein the reasons offered in support of the conclusion necessarily (logically) entail the conclusion. So, given those specific reasons one is logically compelled to draw that conclusion.
Truth: This is when the argument is not only valid (logical) but all the premises in the argument are true, which means that the conclusion must also be true.
Indicator words: The following words indicate that an argument is being made. One can mostly tell from these words which part of a sentence or argument serves as the premise/s and which as the conclusions: because, hence, therefore, on account of, thus, since, firstly, secondly, this implies, so…
Class discussion: examples
a. People with bigger brains are more intelligent than people with smaller brains. Men have bigger brains than women. Therefore, men are more intelligent than women.
An argument can be distinguished by the fact that it offers reasons in support of its conclusion/s. But it is not always the case that an argument is effective or successful. In other words, sometimes the reasons it offers in support of its conclusions do not do so.
Validity: A valid argument is an argument wherein the reasons offered in support of the conclusion necessarily (logically) entail the conclusion. So, given those specific reasons one is logically compelled to draw that conclusion.
Truth: This is when the argument is not only valid (logical) but all the premises in the argument are true, which means that the conclusion must also be true.
Indicator words: The following words indicate that an argument is being made. One can mostly tell from these words which part of a sentence or argument serves as the premise/s and which as the conclusions: because, hence, therefore, on account of, thus, since, firstly, secondly, this implies, so…
Class discussion: examples
a. People with bigger brains are more intelligent than people with smaller brains. Men have bigger brains than women. Therefore, men are more intelligent than women.
b. The grass is green because it contains chlorophyll.
c. The grass is green because God made it so.
d. Since there are 7 pink dogs on the moon there are 8 green cats on Jupiter.
d. Since there are 7 pink dogs on the moon there are 8 green cats on Jupiter.
e. Because we all die on the last day of our lives we live our lives before that day.
f. Communism is a political or economic theory postulated by Karl Marx. Karl Marx was a man who cared deeply for the poor. Therefore, communism is a good political system for the upliftment of the poor.
g. The Mona Lisa is a beautiful painting because Vincent van Gogh said so.
h. The Mona Lisa is a beautiful painting because of the perfect composition and colours it features.
Group work: identifying premises, conclusions and validity in argumentation
In your groups look at the following arguments and decide whether the arguments are valid and also whether the conclusions are true or false. Remember, in order to see whether the conclusions are true or false you will need to see if the premises are true or false and whether the argument is valid.
Group work: identifying premises, conclusions and validity in argumentation
In your groups look at the following arguments and decide whether the arguments are valid and also whether the conclusions are true or false. Remember, in order to see whether the conclusions are true or false you will need to see if the premises are true or false and whether the argument is valid.
Argument 1: .......
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