The Toulmin Method of logic is a common and easy to use formula for organizing a written argument. The basic format for the Toulmin Method is as follows:
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Terms to KnowSee Text
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Our Flawed Thinking |
excerpted from: The Critical Thinking Community
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"It's true because I believe it"
"It's true because we believe it"
"It's true because I want to believe it"
"It's true because I have always believed it"
"It's true because it is in my vested interest to believe it"
- innate egocentrism: in which case I find myself continually assuming that what I believe is true even though I have never questioned the basis for many of my beliefs
"It's true because we believe it"
- innate sociocentrism: in which case I find myself continually assuming that the dominant beliefs in the groups to which I belong are true even though I have never questioned the basis for many of these beliefs
"It's true because I want to believe it"
- innate wish fulfillment: in which case I find myself believing in, for example, accounts of behavior that put me (or the groups to which I belong) in a positive rather than a negative light even though I have not seriously considered the evidence for the more negative account. I believe what "feels good," what supports my other beliefs, what does not require me to change my thinking is any significant way, what does not require me to admit I have been wrong
"It's true because I have always believed it"
- innate self-validation: in which case I feel a strong ego-attraction to beliefs that I have long held even though I have not seriously considered the evidence for the critique of these traditional beliefs.
"It's true because it is in my vested interest to believe it"
- innate selfishness: in which case I find myself gravitating to beliefs which if true would justify my getting more power, money, or personal advantage and not noticing the evidence or reasoning against those beliefs
Conspiracy, or False, Theories
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2. After the video you will examine the structure of the five arguments you wrote down for truth, probability (high or low) and validity. You'll also ID if the argument is inductive or deductive. Include this info on your formal write up.
- Note: you are NOT being asked to agree with the views in the video, only to analyze how well the video made its case.
3. After this, you will read the following rebuttal article "debunking" the claims made in the video:
- Is the rebuttal effective? Do any claims made in the video remain unaddressed/explained?
- From the two sources, do any points of debate remain?
4. Separate Assignment: A "conspiracy theory" need not be a false or unproven argument. Sometimes questioning the "known facts" results in such theories proving true: Conspiracy Theories that Turn Out to be True
Find a currently debated conspiracy theory. List the claim and the premises upon which the claim is based. Evaluate the argument as we did with the moon landing theory.
Find a currently debated conspiracy theory. List the claim and the premises upon which the claim is based. Evaluate the argument as we did with the moon landing theory.
Recognizing Fallacies |
(Ch 8) |
Read over Ch. 8 in the Logic book.
CW (to begin in class):
CW (to begin in class):
- Find three different fallacies in commercials or spoken word (speeches) of current politicians or candidates .
- Write what was said, what fallacy is employed, and
- Defend it as a fallacy vs a legitimate use of the rhetorical device (e.g.: a legitimate attack on a candidate's bad record vs a fallacious "ad hominem"/attack on the man to divert from the issues.
In Everyday Use: |