2 / Critical thinking / Modules

Where does critical thinking come from?

it is a western invention coming from age of Cicero in Ancient Rome
it is a Chinese invention dating since the age of Hu Dynasty
it can be traced both, in the western tradition from Socrates in Ancient Greece and in eastern tradition in Ancient India

Correct answer: it can be traced both, in the western tradition from Socrates in Ancient Greece and in eastern tradition in Ancient India

Premise is?

Statement, which is presented as universal truth
Statement, which aim is to give a reason for conclusion
Statement, about which we think is correct

Correct answer: Statement, which aim is to give a reason for conclusion

Which of the following sentences is an assumption?

Climate change are not related to us
Climate change could cause extreme weather events
In May 2013 the mankind crossed symbolic threshold of concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere 400 ppm (part per million). So high concentrations of this greenhouse gas in the atmosphere were present in Pleistocene, approximately 3 millions years ago.

Correct answer: Climate change could cause extreme weather events

This sentence is a fact http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/may/10/carbon-dioxide-highest-level-greenhouse-gas

An argument is?

Statement offering some information which is objective and is not trying to persuade.
Sentence, which can be correct or not and which can serve either as premise or as conclusion
Series of sentences, statements and assumptions, which aim is to explain, persuade and reason

Correct answer: Series of sentences, statements and assumptions, which aim is to explain, persuade and reason

Which of the following sentences is NOT a fact?

Africans live in clay huts
In Africa, 40 per cent of population live in urban areas, while 60 per cent live in rural areas.
Africa is a continent located south of Europe

Correct answer: Africans live in clay huts

Which of these options is an argument?

Helping to people is really good.
the upward buoyant force that is exerted on a body immersed in a fluid, whether fully or partially submerged, is equal to the weight of the fluid that the body displaces.
I won't buy clothes produced by this brand, because they also employ kids to work in their factories.

Correct answer: I won't buy clothes produced by this brand, because they also employ kids to work in their factories.

This is an argument. Premises in the argument are:
Premise (1): I do not buy clothes, which could be potentially produced by kids
Premise (2): Garment from of this brand is produced in the factory where kids work.
Conclusion (3): I won’t buy clothes produced in this factory

Which of the following sentences is the CONCLUSION of the argument?

One of the characteristics of carbon dioxide is that it absorbs infra-red radiation and energy contained in it, during its way back after reflection from earth surface. It means that themore carbon dioxide is in atmosphere, the less energy goes back to the outer space
Since the Industrial Revolution, mankind has been releasing more and more carbon dioxide, it is about millions and millions of tons and its volume in the atmosphere is still increasing
Mankind influences the temperature of our planet

Correct answer: Mankind influences the temperature of our planet

This sentence is the conclusion of the argument which can be derived out of two premises represented by answers A and B

Do you know what manipulative techniques in critical thinking are?

Psychological ways to influence minds of the others to do what we want them to do, e.g. hypnosis
Techniques to move the furniture after criticising process of interior designer
Expressions which at the first sight seem to be reasoned and logical, but they are not and serve just to create a picture of an argument in the receiver’s mind.

Correct answer: Expressions which at the first sight seem to be reasoned and logical, but they are not and serve just to create a picture of an argument in the receiver’s mind.

Critical thinking

Opening questions