javery1@ukcc.uky.edu
These exercises ask you to identify and explain the following
elements of reasoning.
(See the Three
Definitions
of Critical Thinking.)
Argument, expository passage, premise,
conclusion, fact, opinion, elements of reasoning, traits of reasoning,
abilities
of reasoning, standards of reasoning
Write the element of reasoning next to
each exercise, and give a one sentence explanation for your
answer.
1. Socrates was Plato's teacher, and Plato was
Aristotle's teacher.
2. Because Socrates was Plato's teacher
and Plato was Aristotle's teacher, Socrates was Aristotle's
teacher.
3. "Socrates is mortal" is the premise of the following
argument. "Socrates is mortal because Socrates is a man, and all men are
mortal."
4. "All men are mortal" is the conclusion of the following
argument. "Since Socrates is a man, and all men are mortal, it follows that
Socrates is mortal."
5. It is a fact that the Bible is the revealed
Word of God.
6. It is an opinion that the Earth is
flat.
7. Of the eight elements of reasoning, according to Richard
Paul, which one is most relevant to solving the epistemological problem of
the nature of human knowledge in philosophy?
a. specify the
issue
b. infer consequences
c. identify assumptions
d. analyze the concept
8. Of the four critical thinking
abilities, according to Bloom's taxonomy, which one is most active in
solving the epistemological problem of whether or not a statement can
count as knowledge?
a. analyzing concepts
b. synthesizing
evidence
c. evaluating evidence
d. identifying points of
view
9. Of the ten intellectual traits of the good thinker,
according to Richard Paul, which one is most active in solving the
epistemological problem of the scope of human knowledge?
a.
intellectual civility
b. intellectual humility
c.
intellectual curiosity
d. faith in reason
10. Of the ten
universal standards of critical thinking, according to Richard Paul, which
one is most relevant to evaluating the following statement? "Knowledge is
whatever people tell you is true."
a. clarity
b.
depth
c. logical
d. relevance
11. Rationalism
came before empiricism in the history of philosophy, and empiricism came
before pragmatism.
12. Since the word "God" is defined as "the
perfect being," and God would not be perfect if He/She/It did not exist, God
must exist.
13. "God exists" is the premise of the following
argument. "Because everything that exists has a cause, God exists, since
the universe exists."
14. "Voluntary active euthanasia can be based
on informed consent" is the conclusion of the following argument.
"Voluntary active euthanasia can be morally acceptable inasmuch as it can be
based on informed consent, which is the morally relevant principle in cases
of voluntary active euthanasia."
15. It is a fact that all human
beings are selfish.
16. It is an opinion that some abortions have
been legally permissable in America since 1973.
17. Of the eight
elements of reasoning, according to Richard Paul, which one is most relevant
to solving the epistemological problem of the origin of knowledge?
a. analyzing problems
b. synthesizing information
c.
identifying implications
d. all of the above
18. Of the
four critical thinking abilities, according to Richard Paul, which one is
most active in solving ethical problems?
a. identifying
concepts
b. analyzing assumptions
c. evaluating
implications
d. all of the above
19. Of the ten
intellectual traits, according to Richard Paul, which one is the most active
in getting good grades at Lamar?
a. intellectual empathy
b. intellectual curiosity
c. intellectual perseverance
d.
b and c
20. Of the ten universal standards of good thinking,
according to Richard Paul, which one is most relevant to evaluating the
following argument from a student? "Philosophy of knowledge should not be
required at Lamar because I don't see a purpose for it."
a.
accuracy
b. precision
c. logical
d.
fair
http://www.bluegrass.kctcs.edu/LCC/PHI/critthnk.html
last updated August 23, 1999
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