Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is something we already practice. This course increases your critical thinking skills and helps you become more aware of critical thinking. In other words, we take time in the class to think about how we think.

The class includes practice writing arguments (English 1 is a prerequisite course) and identifying errors in the way we reason.   Below are some fun examples of confusing or weak arguments.

Ford Perfect: "You better be prepared for the jump into hyperspace. It's unpleasantly like being drunk"
Arthur Dent: "What's so unpleasant about being drunk?"
Ford Perfect: "You ask a glass of water."
Analysis: This is an error of using one word in two different ways. Can you name the word____?

"I shot an elephant in my pajamas. What he was doing in my pajamas, I'll never know."
 Analysis: Once again, word play. This time it has to do with the confusing organization of words in the sentence.

"That movie was so fantastic! It is one of the best I've ever seen."
Analysis: If your friend reports this about a movie should you spend the money to go? I think I would want to know about how many movies does this person think is "fantastic" in a year, otherwise I might be going to more movies than I could afford or I might only be referred to one movie a year by this person. The problem in this case is that the language is vague.

Bumper sticker: If it ain't country, it ain't music.
Analysis: There is probably a third choice that is not presented in this either/or argument. It is the same error as made during the 60's regarding war protesters. "Love it or leave it," where the only two choices given to citizens by those who supported the Vietnam war effort. What is the third choice?

Join the course to become aware of your effective reasoning!