NS4, Spring 2002

Moore, Chapters 1 and 2, both the content material in the Chapters, and lessons learned from doing the assigned Applications. Weird Things, Chapter 9, the SEARCH formula. Weird Things, Informal Fallacies (in the Appendix).

From the Presentation Preparation Readings:

Astrology:

Near Death Experiences:

Creationism is not on Hour Exam 1

You are also responsible for material presented by the Lecturer and by the Topic Presenters.

Be sure to know and understand the terms we spent so much time talking about. Terms include, but are not limited to: topic, issue, argument, premise, conclusion, assertion, inductive, and deductive.

What are the conditions that make a conclusion true? What can damage the argument, and either weaken the conclusion or make it false?

What is a Baloney Detection Kit? How do we examine the claims we encounter?

What is pseudoscience and the paranormal?

What are some of the common fallacies that are used when making arguments?

What do we mean by debunking?

How do you find the premises and conclusions in an argument? How do you know if a statement or paragraph contains an argument at all? What do we mean by a logical error in an argument?

We spent a lot of time distinguishing between inductive arguments and deductive arguments. Make sure you understand the difference. Be able to write an inductive or deductive argument of your own.

Some arguments do not contain all the parts required. Be able to provide missing premises or conclusions.

When using analogies, be able to distinguish and define analogy, allegory, metaphor, and simile. Be able to write an argument by analogy yourself on a topic provided. Know how analogies are used.

Be prepared to write about the information provided on the topics presented in class. The two covered so far are Astrology and Near Death Experiences. Know what the issues are, and how the proponents and opponents of these topics defend their choices. Also know why people might want to make the choices they do. Understand what it means to be skeptical about the claims you hear. How do we use the tools of Critical Thinking when evaluating these claims?