Critical Thinking

 

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To think critically means to draw inferences in accordance with the rules of reason. In short, it means reasoning critically, or reasoning in the right way. The right way follows the rules of reason. What are these rules?

The rules go by many descriptions. Here is one way to understand them, however, very simply:

General Rule: When arguing your point (which we call the conclusion of your argument), use a cogent, strong argument.

Indeed there is only one rule. But the meat of this rule lies in our understanding of the following terms:

• Argument

• Strong versus Weak Arguments

An argument isn’t a spat. An argument is simply defined in this way:

• Argument = Premises + Conclusion

A strong, cogent argument is one in which the premises support their conclusion.

• Strong Argument = An argument in which the premises support their conclusion.
• Weak Argument = Any argument that isn’t strong.

So what is it for a set of premises to support their conclusion?

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