Critical Thinking: The Basics - Stuart Hanscomb 2016

Introduction

Rationality, Cognitive Biases and Emotions

1.1 Rationality

1.2 Heuristics and Biases

1.3 Emotions

1.4 Framing

1.5 Argumentation and Rhetoric

Addition

Critical Thinking and Dispositions

2.1 Love of Truth

2.2 Open-Mindedness

2.3 Flexibility

2.4 Modesty

2.5 Self-Knowledge

2.6 Meta-Cognition

2.7 Dialogical Dispositions

2.8 Guidelines for a Constructive Dialogue

Addition

Arguments and Argument Reconstruction

3.1 The Structure of Arguments

3.2 Propositions (Statements)

3.3 Argument Reconstruction

Addition

Argument Forms and Fallacies

4.1 Deductive, Inductive and Plausible Arguments

4.2 Argument Forms and Fallacies

4.3 Critical Questions

Addition

Arguments and Social Power Authority, Threats and Other Features of Message Source

5.1 Arguments from Expert Authority

5.2 Arguments from Position to Know (Information Power)

5.3 Legitimate, Reward and Coercive Power

5.4 Arguments Appealing to Character

5.5 Appeals to Referent Power, and Ad Populum Arguments

Addition

Causal Arguments, Generalisations, Arguments from Consequences and Slippery Slope Arguments

6.1 Causal Arguments and Causal Fallacies

6.2 Generalisations

6.3 Arguments from Consequences and Slippery Slope Arguments

Addition

Arguments from Analogy

7.1 Structure and Critical Questions

7.2 Psychology and Rhetoric

7.3 Dispositions and Constructive Dialogues

Addition

Further Fallacies

8.1 Affirming the Consequent (and Denying the Antecedent)

8.2 Circular Arguments

8.3 False Dilemmas

8.4 The Perfectionist Fallacy

8.5 Red Herrings and Equivocations

Conclusion

Glossary

Select Bibliography