Critical reasoning/Course guide/Assignment 1

Assignment

This assignment consists of sixteen (16) multiple-choice questions. The value of each question is 1 %, therefore the total mark of assignment 1 is 16%. Answer all questions. For each question you must identify the one correct answer.

• Which of the following statements best describes critical reasoning?
  • Critical reasoning is mostly concerned with criticising others
    • No, this answer is not correct. Critical reasoning is not about ‘trashing’ other people’s ideas, beliefs and arguments. Instead, critical reasoning requires you to be constructive and creative by weighing up different points of view and offering alternative solutions to problems.
  • Critical reasoning is not interested in challenging dogma and authority
    • No, this answer is not correct. Remember that we said that critical reasoning is the opposite of dogma (unquestioned information). Critical reasoning entails the questioning of the ideas, beliefs and assumptions of others and oneself and to challenge dogma and authority.
  • Critical reasoning involves questioning the beliefs and preconceived ideas of others and oneself
    • Yes, this answer is correct. Critical reasoning means to think for oneself. This entails your becoming aware of how preconceived ideas and cultural attitudes influence your perception of the world and yourself.
  • Critical reasoning applies the principle of charitable interpretation and thus takes the world, beliefs and ideas of others for granted
    • No, this answer is not correct. Within the context of critical reasoning, the principle of charitable interpretation does not mean to take things for granted. Instead, the principle of charitable interpretation entails reaching an informed decision about what is the most reasonable way of interpreting an argument or viewpoint.
• As critical thinkers we can make our voices heard when we:
  • Learn to think clearly
    • No, this answer is not correct. To make our voices heard entails more than just thinking clearly. Rather, to make our voices heard entails to think for ourselves, that is, to adopt a critical attitude of reflecting upon how we think in various areas of our lives and to challenge authority and unquestioned knowledge claims.
  • Learn to think for ourselves and defend our own ideas and well-informed opinions
    • Yes, this answer is correct. As critical thinkers we can make our voices heard when we think for ourselves by asking critical questions about the claims, beliefs and opinions of other people and oneself. Moreover, thinking for yourself and defending your own ideas and well-informed opinions entails offering sound reasons for your opinions and arguments.
  • Practice our own preconceived ideas and biases
    • No, this answer is not correct. As critical thinkers we cannot make our voices heard when we practice our own preconceived ideas and biases. Practicing our own preconceived ideas and biases would fly in the face of critical reasoning. The bravest thinkers are those who critically question their own preconceived ideas and biases.
  • Allow our assumptions and preconceived ideas to colour our perceptions of others
    • No, this answer is not correct. As critical thinkers we cannot make our voices heard when we allow our assumptions and preconceived ideas to colour our perceptions of others. To make our voices heard involves the critical awareness of how societal values, beliefs, preconceived ideas and cultural attitudes influence our perception of others.
• “Men are better at mechanical engineering than women.” This statement is an example of:
  • A preconceived idea
    • Yes, this answer is correct. This statement is based on false assumptions about the role of men and women in society. As critical thinkers we could ask about the grounds for holding the belief that men are better at mechanical engineering than women.
  • Discrimination against women
    • No, this answer is not correct. Although preconceived ideas form the basis for discrimination, we required you to identify the one correct answer, which is the above.
  • Male chauvinism
    • No, this answer is not correct. Although preconceived ideas form the basis for male chauvinism, we required you to identify the one correct answer.
  • Social constructivism
    • No, this answer is not correct.
• Read the following passage and then identify which fallacy is committed: "I can prove to you that God is benevolent. God has all the virtues. Benevolence is a virtue. Therefore, God is generous and kind."
  • False appeal to authority
    • No, this answer is not correct. The fallacy of false appeal to authority occurs when someone cites a famous person or authority to get a point accepted, rather than grounding their argument on solid evidence. In the passage above, no authority or famous person was invoked.
  • Equivocation
    • No, this is not the correct answer. The fallacy of equivocation occurs when a word or an expression shifts meaning from one premise to another. In the passage above, a word or an expression did not shift meaning from one premise to another.
  • Straw man argument
    • No, this answer is not correct. The straw man fallacy consists of making the arguer’s own positon appear to be strong by making the opposing position appear to be outrageous, or weaker than it actually is. In the passage above, this fallacy is not detected.
  • Begging the question
    • Yes, this is the correct answer. The begging-the-question fallacy consists of circular reasoning, where the arguer takes for granted the truth of what he or she is trying to prove. In the passage above, the fallacy begging-the-question fallacy is detected, because the conclusion of the argument merely re-states the premises in different words.
• Which fallacy makes use of a word/term in one part of an argument in a particular sense, and in another part of the argument in another sense?
  • Complex question
    • No, this answer is correct. The complex question fallacy occurs when two or more questions are rolled into one and premeditate a particular answer.
  • Begging the question
    • No, this answer is not correct. The begging-the-question fallacy consists of circular reasoning, where an arguer takes for granted the truth of what he or she is trying to prove.
  • Equivocation
    • Yes, this answer is correct. The fallacy that makes use of a word or term in one part of an argument in a particular sense and then shifts meaning in another part of the same argument, is called the fallacy of equivocation.
  • Faulty analogy
    • No, this answer is not correct. The fallacy of faulty analogy occurs when a comparison is drawn between two different cases or issues, and there are no relevant similarities between them.
• “Intentionally taking the life of a human being is murder. Euthanasia is the intentional taking of the life of a human being. Thus, it should be clear that euthanasia is murder”. This is an example of the fallacy of:
  • Straw man argument
    • No, this answer is not correct. The straw man fallacy consists of making the arguer’s own positon appear to be strong by making the opposing position appear to be outrageous, or weaker than it actually is. In the passage above, this fallacy is not detected.
  • Begging the question fallacy
    • Yes, this answer is correct. The begging-the-question fallacy consists of circular reasoning, where an arguer takes for granted the truth of what he or she is trying to prove. Note how the conclusion in this argument follows from the premise in the trivial sense that it only re-states the premise in different words.
  • Slippery slope fallacy
    • No, this answer is not correct. If you have forgotten what the slippery slope fallacy entails, please go back to Topic 2 to refresh your memory.
  • Equivocation
    • No, this answer is not correct. The fallacy of equivocation occurs when a word or an expression shifts meaning from one premise to another. In the passage above, a word or an expression did not shift meaning from one premise to another. In the passage above, this fallacy is not detected.
• “The Marikana miners’ strike is a consequence of the negligence of three centuries of white dominant rule. So my general practitioner argued while he was examining my X-rays recently.” What fallacy did the speaker commit?
  • Begging the question
    • No, this answer is not correct. The begging-the-question fallacy consists of circular reasoning, where an arguer takes for granted the truth of what he or she is trying to prove. In the passage above, this fallacy is not detected.
  • Straw man argument
    • No, this answer is not correct. The straw man fallacy consists of making the arguer’s own positon appear to be strong by making the opposing position appear to be outrageous, or weaker than it actually is. In the passage above, this fallacy is not detected.
  • False appeal to authority
    • Yes, this answer is correct. The false appeal to authority takes place when an authority or famous person is quoted in order to get the conclusion the arguer wants (rather than providing solid evidence to confirm or refute the claim). In the passage above, this fallacy is detected.
  • False dilemma
    • No, this answer is not correct. The false dilemma fallacy occurs when an “either-or” choice is presented when, in fact, there are more than two alternatives. In the passage above, this fallacy is not detected.
• While cigarette advertising is now banned, at one point it was not. The following is an example of tobacco advertising: “Do you inhale? Of course you do! Lucky Strike has dared to raise this vital question because certain impurities concealed in even the finest, mildest tobacco leaves are removed by Luckies’ famous purifying process.” The afore-quoted was meant to encourage the sale of Lucky Strike cigarettes. But which fallacy has been employed?
  • Complex question
    • No, this answer is correct. The complex question fallacy occurs when two or more questions are rolled into one and premeditate a particular answer. In the passage above, this fallacy is not detected.
  • Straw man argument
    • No, this answer is not correct. The straw man fallacy consists of making the arguer’s own positon appear to be strong by making the opposing position appear to be outrageous, or weaker than it actually is. In the passage above, this fallacy is not detected.
  • False appeal to authority
    • Yes, this answer is correct. The false appeal to authority takes place when an authority or famous person is quoted in order to get the conclusion the arguer wants (rather than providing solid evidence to confirm or refute the claim). In the passage above, this fallacy is detected.
  • False dilemma
    • No, this answer is not correct. The false dilemma fallacy occurs when an “either-or” choice is presented when, in fact, there are more than two alternatives. In the passage above, this fallacy is not detected.
• “Every existent object contains beauty in its own right by virtue of its sharing in the perfection of its own form. Moreover, all beautiful things have design. There must be an intelligent designer behind all entities.” Identify the fallacy committed.
  • Straw man argument
    • No, this answer is not correct. The straw man fallacy consists of making the arguer’s own positon appear to be strong by making the opposing position appear to be outrageous, or weaker than it actually is. In the passage above, this fallacy is not detected.
  • Equivocation
    • Yes, this answer is correct. The fallacy of equivocation occurs when a word or an expression shifts meaning from one premise to another. In the passage above, a word or an expression did not shift meaning from one premise to another. In the passage above, this fallacy is detected by the shifting in meaning of the words “beauty” and “beautiful things”. False dilemma
  • Faulty analogy
    • No, this answer is not correct. The fallacy of faulty analogy occurs when a comparison is drawn between two different cases or issues, and there are no relevant similarities between them.
  • False dilemma
    • No, this answer is not correct. The false dilemma fallacy occurs when an “either-or” choice is presented when, in fact, there are more than two alternatives. In the passage above, this fallacy is not detected.
• My best friend got food poisoning from the cafeteria on 5th Avenue. I am never going there again!” This is an example of:
  • The fallacy of begging the question
    • No, this answer is not correct. The begging-the-question fallacy consists of circular reasoning, where an arguer takes for granted the truth of what he or she is trying to prove. In the passage above, this fallacy is not detected.
  • The fallacy of a false dilemma
    • No, this answer is not correct. The begging-the-question fallacy consists of circular reasoning, where an arguer takes for granted the truth of what he or she is trying to prove. In the passage above, this fallacy is not detected.
  • The fallacy of hasty generalisation
    • Yes, this answer is correct. The fallacy of hasty generalisation occurs when a generalisation is drawn on the basis of insufficient evidence. One cannot simply claim that all people who go to cafereria on 5th Avenue will get food poison based on one occurrence.
  • Straw man argument
    • No, this answer is not correct. The straw man fallacy consists of making the arguer’s own positon appear to be strong by making the opposing position appear to be outrageous, or weaker than it actually is. In the passage above, this fallacy is not detected.
• “Carl Jung, the famous psychoanalyst, stated 'Consciousness cannot exist where there is no one to say: I am conscious' (C. G. Jung, The integration of personality, Routledge, London, 1950, p. 15). I have studied all the contemporary psychoanalyst theories and concluded that Jung was wrong. But what can you expect of a conservative, Swedish Catholic thinker such as Jung?” Identify the fallacy committed.
  • False dilemma
    • No, this answer is nor correct. The false dilemma fallacy occurs when an “either-or” choice is presented when, in fact, there are more than two alternatives. In the passage above, this fallacy is not detected.
  • Straw man argument
    • No, this answer is not correct. The straw man fallacy consists of making the arguer’s own positon appear to be strong by making the opposing position appear to be outrageous, or weaker than it actually is. In the passage above, this fallacy is not detected.
  • The fallacy of hasty generalisation
    • No, this answer is not correct. The fallacy of hasty generalisation occurs when a generalisation is drawn on the basis of insufficient evidence. In the passage above, this fallacy is not detected.
  • Ad hominem fallacy
    • Yes, this answer is correct, The fallacy of argumentum ad hominem occurs when, instead of tackling the issue at hand, someone makes a personal attack on the character, or circumstances, or interests of the person who is advancing a claim, in an attempt to discredit him or her.
• “Insane people should not be punished. Anyone who murders must be insane. Thus murderers should not be punished, but treated in mental institutions.” This is an example of the fallacy of:
  • Equivocation
    • Yes, this answer is correct. The fallacy of equivocation occurs when a word or an expression shifts meaning from one premise to another. In the passage above, a word or an expression did not shift meaning from one premise to another. In the passage above, this fallacy is detected by the shifting in meaning of the word “insane”.
  • Begging the question
    • No, this answer is not correct. The begging-the-question fallacy consists of circular reasoning, where an arguer takes for granted the truth of what he or she is trying to prove. In the passage above, this fallacy is not detected.
  • Complex question
    • No, this answer is correct. The complex question fallacy occurs when two or more questions are rolled into one and premeditate a particular answer. In the passage above, this fallacy is not detected.
  • Ad hominem
    • No, this answer is not correct, The fallacy of argumentum ad hominem occurs when, instead of tackling the issue at hand, someone makes a personal attack on the character, or circumstances, or interests of the person who is advancing a claim, in an attempt to discredit him or her. In the passage above, this fallacy is not detected.
• Read the following passage and identify what kind of fallacy is committed: “Have you always been so lazy and careless?”
  • False dilemma
    • No, this answer is nor correct. The begging-the-question fallacy consists of circular reasoning, where an arguer takes for granted the truth of what he or she is trying to prove. In the passage above, this fallacy is not detected.
  • Hasty generalisation
    • No, this answer is not correct. The fallacy of hasty generalisation occurs when a generalisation is drawn on the basis of insufficient evidence. In the passage above, this fallacy is not detected.
  • Complex question
    • Yes, this answer is correct. The complex question fallacy occurs when two or more questions are rolled into one and premeditate a particular answer.
  • False appeal to authority
    • No, this answer is not correct. The false appeal to authority takes place when an authority or famous person is quoted in order to get the conclusion the arguer wants (rather than providing solid evidence to confirm or refute the claim). In the passage above, this fallacy is not detected.
• By applying your knowledge of a slippery slope argument, consider the following passage and then answer the question that follows: “Direct slavery is as much the pivot of bourgeois industry as machinery, credits, etc. Without slavery you have no cotton; without cotton you have no modern industry. It is slavery that gave the colonies their value; it is the colonies that created world trade, and it is world trade that is the pre-condition of large-scale industry. Thus slavery is an economic category of the greatest importance.” (K. Marx, The poverty of philosophy, Lawrence & Wishart, London, 1936:159) This is an example of the slippery slope argument:
  • True
    • Yes, this answer is correct. In the above passage, Karl Marx speaks out about the evil of slavery. However, this is a misleading argument and contains a fundamental flaw in reasoning. It is a slippery slope argument, because it tries to persuade us to accept its conclusion, ‘Thus slavery is an economic category of the greatest importance’, for reasons that are not relevant to its main claim.
  • False
    • No, this answer is not correct for the reasons explained above.
• Read the following passage and identify what kind of fallacy is committed: “Dr Gumede is well known for his research and publications on sexual morality. But when he claims that sexual rights are human rights and that it is immoral, if not inhuman, to deny homosexuals sexual rights, he clearly doesn’t know what he’s talking about. Because, hey man, he is homosexual himself! Thus we can disregard everything he has to say about sexual morality.”
  • Begging the question
    • No, this answer is not correct. The begging-the-question fallacy consists of circular reasoning, where an arguer takes for granted the truth of what he or she is trying to prove. In the passage above, this fallacy is not detected.
  • False dilemma
    • No, this answer is nor correct. The false dilemma fallacy occurs when an “either-or” choice is presented when, in fact, there are more than two alternatives. In the passage above, this fallacy is not detected.
  • Ad hominem
    • Yes, this answer is correct, The fallacy of argumentum ad hominem occurs when, instead of tackling the issue at hand, someone makes a personal attack on the character, or circumstances, or interests of the person who is advancing a claim, in an attempt to discredit him or her.
  • Slippery slope argument
    • No, this answer is correct. A slippery slope argument entails reasoning in a chain with conditionals (if so, then something else), where at least one of the if-premises is false or doubtful. In other words, the conclusion does not follow from the premises.
• Read the following passage and identify what kind of fallacy is committed: “Grace dated four philosophers and they were all socio-paths. Therefore, all philosophers are socio-paths.”
  • Begging the question
    • No, this answer is not correct. The begging-the-question fallacy consists of circular reasoning, where an arguer takes for granted the truth of what he or she is trying to prove. In the passage above, this fallacy is not detected.
  • Hasty generalisation
    • Yes, this answer is correct. The fallacy of hasty generalisation occurs when a generalisation is drawn on the basis of insufficient evidence. In the passage above, this fallacy is detected because a poor inference has been drawn about an entire group of people on the basis of insufficient information and evidence.
  • False dilemma
    • No, this answer is nor correct. The false dilemma fallacy occurs when an “either-or” choice is presented when, in fact, there are more than two alternatives. In the passage above, this fallacy is not detected.
  • Complex question
    • No, this answer is correct. The complex question fallacy occurs when two or more questions are rolled into one and premeditate a particular answer. In the passage above, this fallacy is not detected.