Posted by MikeC/NY on 11/29/07 10:36pm
Msg #223684

Critical thinking skills

A bunch of arguments here lately, and maybe some folks need to lose the emotions and get back to thinking logically. Here's a primer:

http://factchecked.org/LessonPlanDetails.aspx?myId=7&mySectionId=0

It's meant to be used by high school teachers, but you're never too old to learn..

Reply by jba/fl on 11/29/07 11:14pm
Msg #223691

Very interesting site. TY.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=teMlv3ripSM

Learn fine point of arguing?? LOL

Reply by Susan Fischer on 11/30/07 12:32am
Msg #223699

What's funny about this lesson plan? The fine point of

arguing is the basis of debate. Debates concern different points of view on a common topic or question.

Debate is a language art. The art of persuasion.

Learning this art is both rewarding and useful.

People who win arguments make policies, for instance. And win lawsuits. And ultimately make changes and effect outcomes in all levels of society. "Because I'm the Mom" works with small children to win an argument in the small arena of the household. That reasoning doesn't work, however, in say, an office environment.

Learning to debate effectively is not easy, but it is rewarding and worthwhile.

Fortunately, this knowledge is available to anyone who wants to learn...and to that end, thanks for the link, Mike.

Reply by jba/fl on 11/30/07 6:35am
Msg #223715

Susan: What's funny about this lesson plan?

I spent a lot of time on the site Mike recommended and somehow I went straight from there and linked to the YouTube lesson. Just ironic. I don't think I could replicate that journey, but John Cleese has always tickled my funny bone to roaring laughter so I watched and thought it was an excellent counter point.

The art of the argument is attained by some, agreed; not all have the objectivity to sustain a true argument. Anyone can learn to apply logic to their reasoning abilities, of course, whether they apply or revert to Cleese's method - well, we see that a lot here, esp. on Politics section.

Heck, people can't even stay on subject and/or respond to the question asked. Someone asks how do I do 'this' and others reply this is how I do 'that' leaving the question unanswered and not getting to 'there'. We see that daily here.

Reply by BrendaTx on 11/30/07 7:10am
Msg #223718

Thanks, Mike.

The mind reels at thinking through the currently debated topic based on these definitions.

From your link:
Argument: a conclusion together with the premises that support it
Premise: a reason offered as support for another claim
Conclusion: a claim that is supported by a premise
Valid: an argument whose premises genuinely support its conclusion
Unsound: an argument that has at least one false premise
Fallacy: an argument that relies upon faulty reasoning
Booby trap: an argument that, while not a fallacy itself, might lead an inattentive reader to commit a fallacy.