For Further Notice.

The concept of fallacies I think should be further discussed because there were so many different kinds and they were very confusing. When we had to take our test on fallacies I was completely confused even though I studied them so much.  I liked when we had the website to further learn about reasoning by analogy.  All the different types of fallacies were briefly described in the book, so it was hard to follow the assignments and the examples did not help my understandment. I know that fallacies are a main part of arguments because they make them weak or strong. 

Opinions, Opinion, Opinions.

 My favorite thing about the class was the idea that it was online and I did not have to get up at a specific time of day to go to it. It was nice how everything we needed to know was in one place and there was always an explanation for everything we had to do or what we have to know for the week. It was nice to be able to post our blogs online because for those who are not Internet friendly got the experience.

I did not like how there were certain times for everything. I understand that we have a week and only three posts, but sometimes during the week it is hard to make time for it. I work Tuesday thru Thursday, so it is hard for me to post during the week. A few weeks I missed the twelve hour time difference because I had class and work, so I missed out on points.

If I could change anything it would be the time slots only because having such a constriction was really hard and stressful especially for people who have really tight schedules to follow by and they picked an online class because they thought it would be easier with the time commitment. 

What the Teacher Taught Me

This semester I have learned a lot more about arguments. Each chapter has taught me a new specific about how to arrange sentences to make it strong or weak. When arguing one side of the comparison is the conclusion and the other side concludes the same. Learning about different types of analogy to reason by was very helpful because it explained how different situations are more beneficial when using different reasoning. I have noticed I use this concept the most when I am arguing with friends or in class. The most useful part is using the general principle and applying it to both sides to prove that there are similarities as premises. By applying those two main concepts it has allowed me to have a strong argument every time and I have never I have never lost an argument, since I have been in this class. 

backwards

Tracing the cause backwards was helpful reading over because people use this reasoning all the time to try and put blame on someone else besides them. In the example from the book, the dog was the last reason to wake Dick up, but the process of looking back and find out the reason to each eventually makes one forget the main reason in the first place. It makes sense as to why someone would keep trying to figure out the reasoning to an action, but it is also silly to do so because the reasoning is never ending.  Sticking to the most recent cause is the best because it is the freshest cause and most recent evidence. 

Mission Impossible

Mission: Critical tour gives details around aspects of critical thinking with examples and participation.  Details around whether a claim is specific or non-specific. (non-specific example would be around half the girls in the house go out drinking on the weekends. ) The site then goes through the four types of patterns for statements.  Then it goes on the explore Induction and deduction with discussion around Syllogism and conditionals.(If Megan was home last night,  she slept in her bed.  Megan was home therefore she did sleep in her bed) For each and every topic in this site there is a series of examples and questions that emphasize what was covered.  This site is a perfect example of learning through practice.  In the end, anyone completing all tutorials and practices will have a stronger knowledge of critical thinking and a stronger ability to apply all aspects that were covered. Once done with there are fun activities that can be done and references for additional reading.  All to emphasize critical thinking.

entry numero uno

The cause and effect site has a good example of a causal argument.  It showed that for all people involved, there is one significant difference for all parties dependent upon point of view. The bicycle claims the parked truck caused him to swerve. The car claims the bicycle forced him to slam on his brakes which caused the car behind him to crash.  From each point of view there is one significant difference.   The example helped to show that the cause must precede the effect.  With out cause there is no effect. In a court or trial setting, you cannot prove causation you can only prove effect.  Finally the site emphasized that a causal argument relies on three factors:  acceptability of the comparison, the likelihood of the cause occurring, and the credibility of the significant difference.  In other words,  a causal argument must be believable so that those you are trying to convince can easily put themselves in that situation.  This website’s bicycle/truck example demonstrated a causal argument can be believable from different points of view as long as the arguments are real and credible.

Nature or Nurture?

It is interesting to read that when we use comparisons we are reasoning by analogy.  In life we constantly compare things.  That girls dress is cuter than that other girls.  That boy has a cuter smile than the other.  I think it is human nature  to think that way.  Until I read this section, I never thought of that as reasoning by analogy.

 Then to read that comparisons and conclusions are used in law was kind of amazing.  We think that law is spelled out  in complete detail but to read that lawyers use this form of reasoning all the time to make their point makes we wonder how clear and straight forward the courts and judicial system really are? Do the laws really mean something or is  it that the person that can make use of the best comparisons and analogies forms the direction the laws should go?