1. An important part of becoming an educated thinker is:
a. Being able to express your feelings
b. Being able to argue with others
c. Being able to make effective decisions
d. Being able to ignore the opinions of others
2. The five steps to making an organized decision are:
a. Define the decision clearly, consider all possible choices, ignore outside resources, be in touch with your emotions, and allow your “intuition” to guide your decision
b. Define the decision clearly, consider all possible choices, gather all relevant information, consider the choice that best meets the needs of the situation, and implement a plan of action
c. Consider all possible choices, ask your best friend for advice, consider your immediate emotional response as a solution, and implement a plan of action
d. Provide financial security, provide personal fulfillment, make use of special talents, and offer opportunities
e. All of the above
3. Thinking Critically, as defined in your text, is:
a. Looking for the negative aspects of any situation and providing a critique
b. Carefully exploring the problems with an issue
c. Carefully thinking about problems
d. Carefully exploring the thinking process to clarify our understanding and make more intelligent decisions.
e. All of the above
4. According to your textbook, some of the cognitive abilities and attitudes that characterize critical thinkers are:
a. Open-minded, caring, and considerate of others
b. Being critical, creative, and independent
c. Opposing authority, demonstrating, and defending personal opinions
d. Thinking actively, asking questions, thinking independently, considering different perspectives, supporting diverse perspectives, and discussing ideas in an organized way.
e. All of the above
5. As a critical thinker, to increase and deepen your knowledge of varying perspectives you must:
a. Argue your perspective with reasons and evidence
b. Actively seek other perspectives
c. Memorize information from a textbook
d. None of the above
6. According to your textbook, lenses are explained as what?
a. Eyeglasses worn to improve one’s vision
b. Filters that shape, influence, and often distort the way we see situations
c. Filters that shape our ability to think creatively
d. All of the above
e. None of the above
7. What best explains (defines) Perceiving?
a. A person’s overall point of view
b. Unwritten rules of society or culture that we are taught or socialized to follow.
c. The active selection, organization and interpretation of what is experienced by our senses, usually shaped by experience, society, and culture.
d. To go beyond factual information and make statements about what is assumed to be true but is not currently known (as fact).
8. What is the first step in critically examining your perception?
a. Researching information
b. Performing scientific studies
c. Asking questions
d. All of the above
e. None of the above
9. The definition of Fact is:
a. Can be proven true through the scientific process of falsification.
b. Selection, organization and interpretation of what is experienced by our senses, usually shaped by experience, society, and culture.
c. Concluding that an event is the direct result of another event.
d. Reasons supporting a conclusion.
10. The following defines the difference between knowing and believing:
a. Knowing something to be true is believing it to be true
b. Knowing something to be true means there is conclusive evidence to support it, and believing something to be true means there is no conclusive evidence available
c. There is no difference, because believing and knowing are the same concepts
d. None of the above
11. When experts disagree, a critical thinker must:
a. Analyze and evaluate all the available information
b. Develop their own well-reasoned beliefs
c. Recognize when sufficient information is unavailable
d. Realize that beliefs may evolve over time as new information is obtained
e. All of the above
f. None of the above
12. The relationship between thinking and language is:
a. Symbolic
b. Irrelevant
c. Psychological
d. Interactive
e. All of the above
f. None of the above
13. Using words to express our feelings and evoke feelings in others is known this type of language:
a. Emotive
b. Ambiguous
c. Symbolic
d. Euphemistic
e. All of the above
f. None of the above
14. Unsound arguments that can appear logical are known as:
a. Inferences
b. Fallacies
c. Arguments
d. Justifications
e. All of the above
f. None of the above
15. The three key criteria for evaluating an inductive argument are:
a. Is the sample known? Is the sample sufficient? Is the sample representative?
b. Is the information factual? Is the information logical? Is the argument conclusive?
c. Is the prediction valid? Is the sample sufficient? Is the idea reasonable?
d. All of the above
e. None of the above
16-25
Please list and define ten logical fallacies.
26-30. In a paragraph or two, write a letter to the director of one of the films we watched in class. Tell him or her what you thought of the film. Be specific.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Post-test Don't post answers here--email them to me
Please email me your responses (khofheimer@ecpi.edu). I will print them out for you and add them to your portfolio.
Critical Thinking Post-test
Part I: True/False
1. A Rogerian argument accomplishes its purpose by systematically disproving the oppositions points?
a. True
b. False
2. Knowledge and belief are essentially the same thing?
a. True
b. False
3. The tone of a Rogerian argument is non-confrontational?
a. True
b. False
4. When constructing a Rogerian Argument, you must fully understand your oppositions claims?
a. True
b. False
5. Evidence gathered through the use of inductive reasoning is the best type of support for your claim?
a. True
b. False
Part II. Multiple Choice:
11. The definition of Causal Reasoning is:
a. Unsound arguments that can appear logical because they appeal to our emotions and prejudices.
b. Selection, organization and interpretation of what is experienced by our senses, usually shaped by experience, society, and culture.
c. Concluding that an event is the direct result of another event.
d. To go beyond factual information and make statements about what is assumed to be true but is not currently known (as fact).
12. The definition of Fallacies is:
a. Can be proven true through the process of falsification.
b. Unsound arguments that can appear logical because they appeal to our emotions and prejudices.
c. Unwritten rules of society or culture that we are taught or socialized to follow.
d. Reasons supporting a conclusion.
13. The definition of Perceptions is:
a. A person’s overall point of view.
e. Unwritten rules of society or culture that we are taught or socialized to follow.
b. Selection, organization and interpretation of what is experienced by our senses, usually shaped by experience, society, and culture.
c. To go beyond factual information and make statements about what is assumed to be true but is not currently known (as fact).
14. The definition of Social Boundaries/Guidelines is:
a. Selection, organization and interpretation of what is experienced by our senses, usually shaped by experience, society, and culture.
b. Unwritten rules of society or culture that we are taught or socialized to follow.
c. To go beyond factual information and make statements about what is assumed to be true but is not currently known (as fact).
d. Being able to test a theory for factual or nonfactual status.
15. The definition of Inferring is:
a. The act of attempting to convince someone of a claim or conclusion.
b. Concluding that an event is the direct result of another event.
c. To go beyond factual information and make statements about what is assumed to be true but is not currently known (as fact).
d. Reasons supporting a conclusion.
16. The definition of Persuasion is:
a. A person’s overall point of view.
b. Unsound arguments that can appear logical because they appeal to our emotions and prejudices.
c. The act of attempting to convince someone of a claim or conclusion.
d. To go beyond factual information and make statements about what is assumed to be true but is not currently known (as fact).
17. The definition of Falsifiable is:
a. Selection, organization and interpretation of what is experienced by our senses, usually shaped by experience, society, and culture.
b. Concluding that an event is the direct result of another event.
c. To go beyond factual information and make statements about what is assumed to be true but is not currently known (as fact).
d. Being able to test a theory for factual or nonfactual status.
18. The definition of Perspective is:
a. A person’s overall point of view.
b. Can be proven true through the process of falsification.
c. Selection, organization and interpretation of what is experienced by our senses, usually shaped by experience, society, and culture.
d. Unwritten rules of society or culture that we are taught or socialized to follow.
19. The definition of Argument is:
a. Can be proven true through the process of falsification.
b. Concluding that an event is the direct result of another event.
c. To go beyond factual information and make statements about what is assumed to be true but is not currently known (as fact).
d. Reasons supporting a conclusion.
20. The definition of Fact is:
a. Can be proven true through the process of falsification.
b. Selection, organization and interpretation of what is experienced by our senses, usually shaped by experience, society, and culture.
c. Concluding that an event is the direct result of another event.
d. Reasons supporting a conclusion.
21. "If you're not part of the solution, then you're part of the problem." This statement is an example of:
a. hasty generalization
b. sweeping generalization
c. false dilemma
d. factual evidence
e. logical reasoning
22. "Drugs such as heroin and morphine are addictive and therefore qualify as dangerous drugs. This means that they should never be used, even as painkillers in medical situations." This statement is an example of:
a. hasty generalization
b. sweeping generalization
c. false dilemma
d. factual evidence
e. experimental results
23. "My boyfriends have never shown any real concern for my feelings. My conclusion is that men are insensitive, selfish, and emotionally superficial." This statement is an example of:
a. scientific method
b. appeal to pity
c. sweeping generalization
d. hasty generalization
e. false dilemma
24. "I know that I haven't completed my term paper, but I really think that I should be excused. This has been a very difficult semester for me. I caught every kind of flu that came around. In addition, my brother has a drinking problem, and this has been very upsetting to me. Also, my dog died." This statement is an example of:
a. Appeal to Ignorance
b. Appeal to Fear
c. Appeal to Personal Attack
d. Appeal to Authority
e. Appeal to Pity
25. "Don't miss the first deadline, because if you do, it won't be long before you're missing all your deadlines. This will spread to the rest of your life, as you will be late for every appointment. This terminal procrastination will ruin your career, and friends and relatives will abandon you. You will end up a lonely failure who is unable to ever do anything on time." This statement is an example of:
a. misidentification of the cause
b. appeal to ignorance
c. false dilemma
d. slippery slope
e. questionable cause
Part III. Short Answers: Answer the following questions thoroughly, using complete sentences. Give examples for each. Please answer these questions on a separate piece of paper. (Thorough answers will be in paragraph form – one or two sentences are not thorough.)
26. Choose three of the terms defined in questions 11-20 above. For each term chosen, explain why it is important for a critical thinker to understand the concepts behind it. Use at least one example to clarify each definition.
27. What are "lenses"? What are they shaped by? How do lenses affect us? Why is this important for a critical thinker to understand? Be sure to provide us with examples.
28. What is the difference between believing something to be true and knowing something to be true? Why is this important for a critical thinker to understand? Make sure you provide some examples to support your response.
Part IV. Application of concepts
Demonstrate your understanding of critical thinking by providing a solution to one of the following scenarios:
Please use complete sentences and thoroughly explain your reasoning for the response you chose. Your response should be about tow sentences long.
Scenario 1:
You are at a casual dinner with a group of friends. One of your friends has invited an acquaintance from work unfamiliar to the group. During a discussion about national politics, this individual begins using racist terminology to refer to a candidate who is Latino. You can tell the other members of the group are uncomfortable, but he appears oblivious to the group’s response. How do you handle this situation?
Scenario 2:
You are a few minutes early to school one morning, and you notice two friends of yours from class having a discussion in the hallway. One student is arguing that living together before marriage is wrong because the Bible says it is a sin. The other claims that he was raised with strong morals also, but he believes that it is a good idea to live with his girlfriend while he is in college. As you walk by, they ask your opinion on the subject. Each feels that his belief is the correct one, and each wants you to support his point of view. How do you handle this situation?
Scenario 3:
You are watching your 12-year-old niece for the weekend, and she has brought with her some clothing that you feel is inappropriate for someone her age. She admits that her parents do not let her dress this way. They are not even aware that she has the clothes – she borrowed them from a friend. When you tell her that she is not allowed to go to the mall in these clothes, she responds, “But all of my favorite stores sell clothes like this. All of my friends dress this way, and all of my favorite musicians wear them too. Why are they allowed to but I am not?” How can you respond so that she understands your reasoning?
Part V
Please copy and paste your best paper for this class or your favorite blog entry that your wrote for this class here.
Critical Thinking Post-test
Part I: True/False
1. A Rogerian argument accomplishes its purpose by systematically disproving the oppositions points?
a. True
b. False
2. Knowledge and belief are essentially the same thing?
a. True
b. False
3. The tone of a Rogerian argument is non-confrontational?
a. True
b. False
4. When constructing a Rogerian Argument, you must fully understand your oppositions claims?
a. True
b. False
5. Evidence gathered through the use of inductive reasoning is the best type of support for your claim?
a. True
b. False
Part II. Multiple Choice:
11. The definition of Causal Reasoning is:
a. Unsound arguments that can appear logical because they appeal to our emotions and prejudices.
b. Selection, organization and interpretation of what is experienced by our senses, usually shaped by experience, society, and culture.
c. Concluding that an event is the direct result of another event.
d. To go beyond factual information and make statements about what is assumed to be true but is not currently known (as fact).
12. The definition of Fallacies is:
a. Can be proven true through the process of falsification.
b. Unsound arguments that can appear logical because they appeal to our emotions and prejudices.
c. Unwritten rules of society or culture that we are taught or socialized to follow.
d. Reasons supporting a conclusion.
13. The definition of Perceptions is:
a. A person’s overall point of view.
e. Unwritten rules of society or culture that we are taught or socialized to follow.
b. Selection, organization and interpretation of what is experienced by our senses, usually shaped by experience, society, and culture.
c. To go beyond factual information and make statements about what is assumed to be true but is not currently known (as fact).
14. The definition of Social Boundaries/Guidelines is:
a. Selection, organization and interpretation of what is experienced by our senses, usually shaped by experience, society, and culture.
b. Unwritten rules of society or culture that we are taught or socialized to follow.
c. To go beyond factual information and make statements about what is assumed to be true but is not currently known (as fact).
d. Being able to test a theory for factual or nonfactual status.
15. The definition of Inferring is:
a. The act of attempting to convince someone of a claim or conclusion.
b. Concluding that an event is the direct result of another event.
c. To go beyond factual information and make statements about what is assumed to be true but is not currently known (as fact).
d. Reasons supporting a conclusion.
16. The definition of Persuasion is:
a. A person’s overall point of view.
b. Unsound arguments that can appear logical because they appeal to our emotions and prejudices.
c. The act of attempting to convince someone of a claim or conclusion.
d. To go beyond factual information and make statements about what is assumed to be true but is not currently known (as fact).
17. The definition of Falsifiable is:
a. Selection, organization and interpretation of what is experienced by our senses, usually shaped by experience, society, and culture.
b. Concluding that an event is the direct result of another event.
c. To go beyond factual information and make statements about what is assumed to be true but is not currently known (as fact).
d. Being able to test a theory for factual or nonfactual status.
18. The definition of Perspective is:
a. A person’s overall point of view.
b. Can be proven true through the process of falsification.
c. Selection, organization and interpretation of what is experienced by our senses, usually shaped by experience, society, and culture.
d. Unwritten rules of society or culture that we are taught or socialized to follow.
19. The definition of Argument is:
a. Can be proven true through the process of falsification.
b. Concluding that an event is the direct result of another event.
c. To go beyond factual information and make statements about what is assumed to be true but is not currently known (as fact).
d. Reasons supporting a conclusion.
20. The definition of Fact is:
a. Can be proven true through the process of falsification.
b. Selection, organization and interpretation of what is experienced by our senses, usually shaped by experience, society, and culture.
c. Concluding that an event is the direct result of another event.
d. Reasons supporting a conclusion.
21. "If you're not part of the solution, then you're part of the problem." This statement is an example of:
a. hasty generalization
b. sweeping generalization
c. false dilemma
d. factual evidence
e. logical reasoning
22. "Drugs such as heroin and morphine are addictive and therefore qualify as dangerous drugs. This means that they should never be used, even as painkillers in medical situations." This statement is an example of:
a. hasty generalization
b. sweeping generalization
c. false dilemma
d. factual evidence
e. experimental results
23. "My boyfriends have never shown any real concern for my feelings. My conclusion is that men are insensitive, selfish, and emotionally superficial." This statement is an example of:
a. scientific method
b. appeal to pity
c. sweeping generalization
d. hasty generalization
e. false dilemma
24. "I know that I haven't completed my term paper, but I really think that I should be excused. This has been a very difficult semester for me. I caught every kind of flu that came around. In addition, my brother has a drinking problem, and this has been very upsetting to me. Also, my dog died." This statement is an example of:
a. Appeal to Ignorance
b. Appeal to Fear
c. Appeal to Personal Attack
d. Appeal to Authority
e. Appeal to Pity
25. "Don't miss the first deadline, because if you do, it won't be long before you're missing all your deadlines. This will spread to the rest of your life, as you will be late for every appointment. This terminal procrastination will ruin your career, and friends and relatives will abandon you. You will end up a lonely failure who is unable to ever do anything on time." This statement is an example of:
a. misidentification of the cause
b. appeal to ignorance
c. false dilemma
d. slippery slope
e. questionable cause
Part III. Short Answers: Answer the following questions thoroughly, using complete sentences. Give examples for each. Please answer these questions on a separate piece of paper. (Thorough answers will be in paragraph form – one or two sentences are not thorough.)
26. Choose three of the terms defined in questions 11-20 above. For each term chosen, explain why it is important for a critical thinker to understand the concepts behind it. Use at least one example to clarify each definition.
27. What are "lenses"? What are they shaped by? How do lenses affect us? Why is this important for a critical thinker to understand? Be sure to provide us with examples.
28. What is the difference between believing something to be true and knowing something to be true? Why is this important for a critical thinker to understand? Make sure you provide some examples to support your response.
Part IV. Application of concepts
Demonstrate your understanding of critical thinking by providing a solution to one of the following scenarios:
Please use complete sentences and thoroughly explain your reasoning for the response you chose. Your response should be about tow sentences long.
Scenario 1:
You are at a casual dinner with a group of friends. One of your friends has invited an acquaintance from work unfamiliar to the group. During a discussion about national politics, this individual begins using racist terminology to refer to a candidate who is Latino. You can tell the other members of the group are uncomfortable, but he appears oblivious to the group’s response. How do you handle this situation?
Scenario 2:
You are a few minutes early to school one morning, and you notice two friends of yours from class having a discussion in the hallway. One student is arguing that living together before marriage is wrong because the Bible says it is a sin. The other claims that he was raised with strong morals also, but he believes that it is a good idea to live with his girlfriend while he is in college. As you walk by, they ask your opinion on the subject. Each feels that his belief is the correct one, and each wants you to support his point of view. How do you handle this situation?
Scenario 3:
You are watching your 12-year-old niece for the weekend, and she has brought with her some clothing that you feel is inappropriate for someone her age. She admits that her parents do not let her dress this way. They are not even aware that she has the clothes – she borrowed them from a friend. When you tell her that she is not allowed to go to the mall in these clothes, she responds, “But all of my favorite stores sell clothes like this. All of my friends dress this way, and all of my favorite musicians wear them too. Why are they allowed to but I am not?” How can you respond so that she understands your reasoning?
Part V
Please copy and paste your best paper for this class or your favorite blog entry that your wrote for this class here.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Day 8 blog
Discuss the appeal of the movie Juno. Why, in your opinion, is the movie a break-out surprise hit? What elements contribute to the movie's appeal?
Blog 7
Please choose one of the following topics (all have to do with "Love is a Fallacy" by Max Shulman) and write a 1-2 page blog on it. You may work with a partner if you wish. Please include both of your names if you choose to do so).
1. Please analyze the artistic features of "Love is a fallacy" by Max Shulman from four aspects (lexical, syntactic, rhetorical, and discourse analysis), and examine how these techniques help reveal the stylistic beauty of the essay as well as the personalities of the three characters.
2. Please summarize the theme and sub-theme of this story and then offer your opinion on the author's purpose, audience, and methodology.
3. Please compare "Love is a Fallacy" to "Plato's Cave" and reveal how Shulman uses humor to explore similar thematic content as focused on in the latter.
4. Please discuss how "Love is a Fallacy" utilizes logical fallacies to make its points.
1. Please analyze the artistic features of "Love is a fallacy" by Max Shulman from four aspects (lexical, syntactic, rhetorical, and discourse analysis), and examine how these techniques help reveal the stylistic beauty of the essay as well as the personalities of the three characters.
2. Please summarize the theme and sub-theme of this story and then offer your opinion on the author's purpose, audience, and methodology.
3. Please compare "Love is a Fallacy" to "Plato's Cave" and reveal how Shulman uses humor to explore similar thematic content as focused on in the latter.
4. Please discuss how "Love is a Fallacy" utilizes logical fallacies to make its points.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Day 6 blog
Decribe "Socrates'" guide to life, as depicted in the movie The Peaceful Warrior. Do you agree with some of his philosophical views? Which ones?
Monday, January 21, 2008
mt
Critical Thinking Midterm
Please copy and paste this midterm into a word document and complete it and email it to me. Please do not post your answers here.
Part 1: Analysis and Evaluation (25 points)
Please choose a "This I Believe" essay from the following link, or any NPR "This I Believe" essay and summarize it. Then tell what methods the author uses to make his or her point. Also, what do you think of the essay overall? Share your analysis and evaluation.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4538138
Please copy and paste this midterm into a word document and complete it and email it to me. Please do not post your answers here.
Part 1: Analysis and Evaluation (25 points)
Please choose a "This I Believe" essay from the following link, or any NPR "This I Believe" essay and summarize it. Then tell what methods the author uses to make his or her point. Also, what do you think of the essay overall? Share your analysis and evaluation.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4538138
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