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Philosophy
Consider these two inductive arguments.
Argument 1: Every summer for the past 20 years, Fresno's temperature has reached triple digits. Therefore, it is very likely that in, at least, one of the next 20 summers, Fresno's temperature will reach triple digits.
Argument 2: "If a single cell, under appropriate conditions, becomes a man in the space of a few years, there can surely be no difficulty in understanding how, under appropriate conditions, a cell may, in the course of untold millions of years, give origin to the human race." [Herbert Spencer, Principles of Biology]
One of these is considered an inductive argument by analogy and the other is considered an inductive argument through enumeration. Take a guess at which is which and explain why you think that (just based on what you might know about the words "analogy" and "enumeration"). What differences do you see between the first and second arguments? How are these arguments different than the abductive arguments we've talked about?
Argument 1: Every summer for the past 20 years, Fresno's temperature has reached triple digits. Therefore, it is very likely that in, at least, one of the next 20 summers, Fresno's temperature will reach triple digits.
Argument 2: "If a single cell, under appropriate conditions, becomes a man in the space of a few years, there can surely be no difficulty in understanding how, under appropriate conditions, a cell may, in the course of untold millions of years, give origin to the human race." [Herbert Spencer, Principles of Biology]
One of these is considered an inductive argument by analogy and the other is considered an inductive argument through enumeration. Take a guess at which is which and explain why you think that (just based on what you might know about the words "analogy" and "enumeration"). What differences do you see between the first and second arguments? How are these arguments different than the abductive arguments we've talked about?
Philosophy
explain why critical thinkers must approach advertisements skeptically. Discuss some of the ways advertisers manipulate people. Explain how advertisement can affect someones autonomy (freedom). Make sure you discuss this in your own words.
Philosophy
Consider this argument:
During President Obama's terms, coal mines continually lost money and had to lay off miners. Therefore, President Obama was responsible for the coal mines loss of money and jobs.
Where do you think this argument goes wrong? You don't need to know the technical name for it, but just identify the problem. Please note: you shouldn't have to know anything about the facts of this situation (i.e. you don't need to know about coal profits or policies on mining); you should be able to detect the problem with this argument without reference to any of the specifics.
If you can't fill 100 words with your response, you can also give an original example of an argument that goes wrong in the same way.
During President Obama's terms, coal mines continually lost money and had to lay off miners. Therefore, President Obama was responsible for the coal mines loss of money and jobs.
Where do you think this argument goes wrong? You don't need to know the technical name for it, but just identify the problem. Please note: you shouldn't have to know anything about the facts of this situation (i.e. you don't need to know about coal profits or policies on mining); you should be able to detect the problem with this argument without reference to any of the specifics.
If you can't fill 100 words with your response, you can also give an original example of an argument that goes wrong in the same way.
Philosophy
Consider this argument:
The U.S.'s discretionary spending is out of control. If we don't cut spending on education, we will continue to see this country's debt spiral out of control.
Where do you think this argument goes wrong? You don't need to know the technical name for it, but just identify the problem (if it helps, here is an infographic from the Congressional Budget Office's report of discretionary spending in 2017: https://www.cbo.gov/publication/53626 (Links to an external site.)). If your answer to that question doesn't meet the word-count, give an example of a bad argument you've heard (if your first answer met the word-count, it is not necessary to respond to this part).
The U.S.'s discretionary spending is out of control. If we don't cut spending on education, we will continue to see this country's debt spiral out of control.
Where do you think this argument goes wrong? You don't need to know the technical name for it, but just identify the problem (if it helps, here is an infographic from the Congressional Budget Office's report of discretionary spending in 2017: https://www.cbo.gov/publication/53626 (Links to an external site.)). If your answer to that question doesn't meet the word-count, give an example of a bad argument you've heard (if your first answer met the word-count, it is not necessary to respond to this part).
Philosophy
Critical thinking professors often use conspiracy theories as examples of poor critical thinking. I want your reaction to focus on why that may be the case. Why is it that critical thinking professors use conspiracy theories as examples? Since abductive inferences are now part of your background knowledge, you might think about how most conspiracy theories would fare given the criteria for best explanations. Think about testability, fruitfulness, scope, simplicity, and conservatism. Why do you think most critical thinking professors do not accept most conspiracy theories as the best explanations of the data, given these criteria?
Philosophy
Consider these two inductive arguments.
Argument 1: Every summer for the past 20 years, Fresno's temperature has reached triple digits. Therefore, it is very likely that in, at least, one of the next 20 summers, Fresno's temperature will reach triple digits.
Argument 2: "If a single cell, under appropriate conditions, becomes a man in the space of a few years, there can surely be no difficulty in understanding how, under appropriate conditions, a cell may, in the course of untold millions of years, give origin to the human race." [Herbert Spencer, Principles of Biology]
One of these is considered an inductive argument by analogy and the other is considered an inductive argument through enumeration. Take a guess at which is which and explain why you think that (just based on what you might know about the words "analogy" and "enumeration"). What differences do you see between the first and second arguments? How are these arguments different than the abductive arguments we've talked about?
Argument 1: Every summer for the past 20 years, Fresno's temperature has reached triple digits. Therefore, it is very likely that in, at least, one of the next 20 summers, Fresno's temperature will reach triple digits.
Argument 2: "If a single cell, under appropriate conditions, becomes a man in the space of a few years, there can surely be no difficulty in understanding how, under appropriate conditions, a cell may, in the course of untold millions of years, give origin to the human race." [Herbert Spencer, Principles of Biology]
One of these is considered an inductive argument by analogy and the other is considered an inductive argument through enumeration. Take a guess at which is which and explain why you think that (just based on what you might know about the words "analogy" and "enumeration"). What differences do you see between the first and second arguments? How are these arguments different than the abductive arguments we've talked about?
Philosophy
explain enumerative inductive inferences, in detail. Explain where you might see these arguments being used and why they are important in critical thinking. Give examples of enumerative inductive inferences, explaining why they are inductive and not deductive or abductive.
Philosophy
Describe the method Socrates adopts as related in Platos Dialogues. Why does he adapt such an approach? What is its end or goal? Why has this method been considered a paradigm for philosophical inquiry?
Philosophy
What is school culture
Philosophy
Based on the truth-value of the first claim, determine what, if anything, you can about the truth-value of the second claim (show your work).
8. a. All cars are fossil fuel burners. (False)
b. Some fossil fuel burners are not cars.
8. a. All cars are fossil fuel burners. (False)
b. Some fossil fuel burners are not cars.
