Find The Flaw Activity Revision
docx
keyboard_arrow_up
School
Berkeley College *
*We aren’t endorsed by this school
Course
2000
Subject
Philosophy
Date
Apr 3, 2024
Type
docx
Pages
2
Uploaded by dianecc1118
Find the Flaw Activity
Each of the questions in this activity violates at least one of the guidelines for critical thinking we
reviewed in class. Identify the guideline that was violated and give a brief explanation for your choice. The five guidelines cited in Chapter One are:
Ask questions; be willing to wonder
Define your terms/Define the problem
Analyze assumptions and biases
Examine the evidence
Weigh conclusions
1. In a research proposal, a student said that he was going to do research on “meditation and mental illness.”
Explanation: Define your terms/Define the problem: As far as the definition of the problem is concerned, the student's research proposal lacks clarity. "Meditation" and "mental illness" are broad and not clearly defined. In the absence of specific definitions, it is unclear which aspects of meditation and mental illness the student intends to study, making the problem statement unclear.
2. I joined this group to find meaning in my life and a purpose for living. Our leader has answers that your parents and teachers could not give you. He will free your mind from the trivialities of existence and make the path of truth and virtue easy to follow.
Explanation: Analyze assumptions and biases: The statements make unfounded claims without providing evidence or logical reasoning, the assumption here is that the leader has the answers that parents and teachers could not provide and following the leader's path will lead to truth and virtue, which implies biases and assumptions that need to be critically examined. The appeal to authority and the implied superiority of the leader's teachings suggest biases and assumptions.
3. A number of great authors and artists have suffered from manic-depressive disorder, proving
the proposition that highly intelligent people are especially susceptible to mental disorders.
Explanation: Examine the evidence:
It assumes that manic-depressive disorder is causally
related to intelligence without providing credible evidence to support it. The fact that some great authors and artists have suffered from the disorder does not automatically prove that all highly intelligent people are more prone to mental disorders. A comprehensive analysis of the evidence weakens the argument.
4. Child abuse and neglect have increased as more mothers have found jobs outside of the home. These problems will probably be with us until society recognizes the truth of the old saying that “a woman’s place is in the home.”
Explanation: Analyze assumptions and biases:
This statement assumes a direct causal link
between an increase in child abuse and neglect and the fact that more mothers have jobs outside the home, and implies that the solution is for women to stay at home. In addition to overlooking a wide range of social, economic, and cultural factors that contribute to child abuse and neglect, this oversimplified view exhibits biases related to gender roles and responsibilities as well.
5. I don’t understand why people are so terrified of nuclear warfare. There has been a succession of new and more deadly weapons throughout history, and humanity has survived in spite of it.
Explanation: Weigh conclusions:
The statement lacks an adequate comparison between nuclear warfare and historical instances of deadly weapons. Even though humanity has survived past deadly weapons, it doesn't necessarily follow that nuclear warfare poses no unique dangers. Therefore, the potential severity of the situation isn't fully evaluated.
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help