Skip to main content

PHIL102: Introduction to Critical Thinking and Logic

0%

Previous
Course Feedback Survey

COURSE INTRODUCTION

Course Syllabus

Unit 1: Introduction and Meaning Analysis

1.1: Introduction to Critical Thinking

Critical Thinking

Critical Thinking Skills

Discussion: The Importance of Critical Thinking

1.2.1: The Elements of Meaning

Meaning Analysis

Discussion: Definitions

1.2.2: Necessary and Sufficient Conditions

Necessity and Sufficiency

1.2.3: Thinking Critically about Ordinary Language

Meaning Analysis Continued

1.3: Assessing Sources

Research Skills Tutorial

Evaluating Sources and Peer Review

Evaluating Internet Material

Discussion: Finding and Assessing Sources

Unit 2: Argument Analysis

2.1.1: What Are Arguments?

What is an Argument?

More on Arguments

2.1.2: How to Tell an Argument from a Non-Argument

Identifying Arguments

The Standard Format of an Argument

2.2: Good Argument Form

Validity and Soundness

Validity, Soundness, and Valid Patterns

Quiz on Truth, Validity, and Soundness

Rounding Out Arguments

Hidden Assumptions, Inductive Reasoning, and Good Arguments

2.3: Visualizing How Arguments Work

More Complex Argument Structures

Argument Mapping

2.4: Analogical Arguments

Analogical Arguments

More on Analogical Arguments

2.5: Valid Argument Patterns

Valid Argument Patterns

2.6: Review of Argument Analysis

Discussion: Argument Analysis

Unit 3: Basic Sentential Logic

3.1: The Basics of Logic

What is Logic?

3.1.1: Logical Statements, Connectives, and Relations

Formal Methods of Evaluation

Statements, Logical Connectives, and Logical Relations

3.1.2: Logic Puzzles

Fun Logic Puzzles

The World's Hardest Logic Puzzle Ever!

3.2.1: How to Write Sentences in Sentential Logic

Propositional Logic Functions

Sentential Logic and Well-Formed Formulas

3.2.2: Connectives and Truth Tables

Truth Tables

Connectives

3.2.3: How to Draw Truth Tables for More Complicated Statements

Complex Truth Tables

3.2.4: Properties of Individual Well-Formed Formulas and Relations Between Them

Relationships in Truth Statements

Properties and Relations

3.2.5: Understanding Truth Tables

Understanding Truth Tables

3.2.6: How to Translate Ordinary Statements into Symbolic Formulae

Formalization

3.2.7: Formalization Practice

Propositional Logic and Symbolization

3.2.8: Two Methods for Determining the Validity of an Argument

Validity and the Indirect Method

3.2.9: Why Sentential Logic Is Not Enough

Material Conditional

Unit 4: Venn Diagrams

4.1.1: Venn Diagrams as Illustrations of Sets or Classes

Categorical Logic and The Venn Test of Validity for Immediate Categorical Inferences

Basic Notation

4.1.2: More Complicated Venn Diagrams

Venn Diagram Exercises

4.1.3: Illustrating Experience with Venn Diagrams

Universal Statements and Existential Commitment

4.1.4: Review of Introduction to Venn Diagrams

More Venn Diagram Exercises

4.2.1: Using Venn Diagrams to Evaluate Syllogisms

Venn Validity for Categorical Syllogisms

Syllogism

4.2.2: Understanding the Logic of Venn Diagrams

The Logic of Venn Diagrams

4.2.3: The Limitations of Venn Diagrams

Limitations of Venn Diagrams

4.2.4: Review of Venn Diagrams and Arguments

Even More Venn Diagram Exercises

Discussion: Venn Diagrams and Argument Validity

Unit 5: Fallacies

5.1: Introduction to Fallacies

What is a Fallacy?

5.2: Types of Fallacies

Formal versus Informal Fallacies

List of Fallacies

False Dichotomy, Causal Slippery Slope, and Appeal to Authority

Inconsistency, Irrelevance, Insufficiency, and Inappropriate Presumption

Exercises on Fallacies

5.3.1: Straw Man Fallacy

Straw Man Argument

The Straw Man Fallacy

5.3.2: Gambler's Fallacy

The Gambler's Fallacy

More on the Gambler's Fallacy

5.3.3: Begging the Question

Begging the Question

5.3.4: Red Herring

The Red Herring Fallacy

5.3.5: Ad Hominem (Against the Person)

Ad Hominem

5.3.6: Ad Ignorantium (Appeal to Ignorance)

Appeal to Ignorance

5.3.7: Ad Populum (Appeal to the People)

Appeal to the People

5.3.8: Complex Question (Double-Barreled Question)

Double-Barreled Question

5.3.9: Loaded Question

Loaded Question

5.3.10: Non Sequitur (It Does Not Follow)

Formal Fallacy (Non Sequitur)

5.3.11: Review of Fallacies

Discussion: Fallacies

5.4: Cognitive Biases

Cognitive Biases

Cognitive Biases Explained

Unit 6: Scientific Reasoning

6.1: The Basic Principles of Scientific Reasoning

The Hypothetical-Deductive Method

The Scientific Method Explained by a Scientist

What Makes One Scientific Theory Better than Another?

Discussion: Scientific Theories

6.2.1: The Basics of Causality

Causal Reasoning

Causation

Mill's Methods

6.2.2: Causality is More Than Just Cause and Effect

Causal Inferences

Correlation and Causation

Causal Diagrams

Discussion: Causation

Unit 7: Strategic Reasoning and Creativity

7.1: Strategic Reasoning

Classifying Problems

Solving Problems

Complex Systems

Charts and Diagrams

Making Good Decisions

7.2: Creative Thinking

Three Basic Principles of Creative Thinking

The Creativity Cycle

Creative Heuristics and Group Creativity

Discussion: Creative Thinking

Study Guide

PHIL102 Study Guide

Course Feedback Survey

Course Feedback Survey

Certificate Final Exam

PHIL102: Certificate Final Exam

Saylor Direct Credit
Next

Course Catalog
- All categories
Arts & Humanities
Art History

Communication

English

Philosophy
- Business Administration
- Computer Science
- English as a Second Language
Professional Development
General Knowledge for Teachers
Science and Math
Biology

Chemistry

Mathematics

Physics
Social Science
Economics

Geography

History

Political Science

Psychology

Sociology
Home
Specialization Programs
Specialization Programs MBA Degree Program
Help
Getting Started Help Center & FAQ

Search

Search

Toggle search input

You are currently using guest access

Log in

Course Catalog Collapse Expand

All categories

Arts & Humanities

Art History

Communication

English

Philosophy

Business Administration

Computer Science

English as a Second Language

Professional Development

General Knowledge for Teachers

Science and Math

Biology

Chemistry

Mathematics

Physics

Social Science

Economics

Geography

History

Political Science

Psychology

Sociology

Home Specialization Programs Collapse Expand

Specialization Programs MBA Degree Program

Help Collapse Expand

Getting Started Help Center & FAQ

Expand all Collapse all

PHIL102: Introduction to Critical Thinking and Logic
Course Feedback Survey
Course Feedback Survey

Course Feedback Survey

Completion requirements

Click on Course Feedback Survey to open the resource.

Contact site support

You are currently using guest access (Log in)

Get the mobile app

Powered by Moodle

© Saylor Academy 2010-2024 except as otherwise noted. Excluding course final exams, content authored by Saylor Academy is available under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license. Third-party materials are the copyright of their respective owners and shared under various licenses. See detailed licensing information. Saylor Academy®, Saylor.org®, and Harnessing Technology to Make Education Free® are trade names of the Constitution Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization through which our educational activities are conducted.

Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions

Saylor Academy © 2010-2025 except as otherwise noted. Excluding course final exams, content authored by Saylor Academy is available under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license. Third-party materials are the copyright of their respective owners and shared under various licenses. See detailed licensing information. Saylor Academy®, Saylor.org®, and Harnessing Technology to Make Education Free® are trade names of the Constitution Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization through which our educational activities are conducted.