RI Knowledge and Inquiry Unofficial Compiled Notes v2.0

Knowledge andInquiry NotesLAU 2022/2023

RAFFLES INSTITUTION KNOWLEDGE AND INQUIRY 2022 CHAPTER 1: CRITICAL THINKING 1 PARTS OF AN ARGUMENT ........................................................................................................... 3 1.1 Definition of an Argument........................................................................................................................................... 3 1.2 Identifying Arguments ................................................................................................................................................ 3 1.2.1 Types of Non-Arguments ................................................................................................................................... 3 1.3 Premises and Conclusions......................................................................................................................................... 3 1.3.1 Premise and Conclusion Indicators .................................................................................................................... 3 1.4 Implicit Statements ..................................................................................................................................................... 4 2 DEDUCTION AND INDUCTION ...................................................................................................... 4 2.1 Principle of Charity ..................................................................................................................................................... 4 2.2 Definitions of Deductive and Inductive Arguments..................................................................................................... 4 2.2.1 Examples of Deductive Arguments .................................................................................................................... 4 2.2.2 Examples of Inductive Arguments ...................................................................................................................... 4 2.3 Differentiating between Deductive and Inductive Arguments .................................................................................... 4 2.3.1 Indicator Words .................................................................................................................................................. 4 2.3.2 Style of Argumentation ....................................................................................................................................... 5 3 EVALUATING DEDUCTIVE ARGUMENTS .................................................................................... 5 3.1 Deductive Validity....................................................................................................................................................... 5 3.2 Deductive Soundness ................................................................................................................................................ 5 3.3 Circular Arguments .................................................................................................................................................... 5 3.4 Basic Forms of Deductive Arguments ........................................................................................................................ 5 4 EVALUATING INDUCTIVE ARGUMENTS ..................................................................................... 6 4.1 Inductive Strength ...................................................................................................................................................... 6 4.2 Inductive Cogency...................................................................................................................................................... 6 4.3 Inductive Reliability .................................................................................................................................................... 6 4.4 Basic Forms of Inductive Arguments ......................................................................................................................... 6 4.4.1 Argument from Analogy...................................................................................................................................... 6 4.4.2 Inductive Generalisation ..................................................................................................................................... 6 4.4.3 Statistical Syllogism............................................................................................................................................ 7 4.4.4 Argument from Authority .................................................................................................................................... 7 5 FALLACIES ...................................................................................................................................... 7 5.1 Formal Fallacies ......................................................................................................................................................... 7 5.2 Informal Fallacies ....................................................................................................................................................... 7 6 EXAM SKILLS .................................................................................................................................. 8 6.1 Format ........................................................................................................................................................................ 8 6.2 Knowledge and Inquiry as a Subject .......................................................................................................................... 9 6.3 Reconstructing Arguments ......................................................................................................................................... 9 6.4 Evaluating Arguments ................................................................................................................................................ 9 6.4.1 A Note on Nit-picking........................................................................................................................................ 10 APPENDIX A: CRITICAL THINKING FLOWCHART ........................................................................ 11

3 1 PARTS OF AN ARGUMENT 1.1 Definition of an Argument An argument is a set of statements (or propositions) which functions to prove one of the statements as true on the basis of the other statements given. 1.2 Identifying Arguments In order to identify an argument, one simple method is to look out for conclusion indicators. If there is no clear conclusion, there is no argument. If one of the sentences in the passage is a conclusion supported by a reason or reasons in the passage, then the passage is an argument. 1.2.1 Types of Non-Arguments There exist a few kinds of non-arguments, most of which are easy to spot. These include: (a) Expository passages that only elaborate the topic without argument. (b) Illustrations that provide examples for understanding, without introducing new arguments. (c) Simple non-inferential texts such as warnings or commands that do not claim that anything is being proved. However, it is far more difficult to distinguish between explanation and argument. In an argument, the statements work together to establish a conclusion via reasoning. On the other hand, in an explanation, the statements provide clarity and specificity to the main claim. Hence, the conclusion is already assumed to be true by the author. When in doubt one can further turn to the following checklist to confirm that it is an argument: (a) The passage can be fit into the form of “P1, P2, P3 […] Therefore