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Key facts
| Type | Weekly Classes |
|---|---|
| Location | Newbury |
| Address | Newbury College Monks Lane Newbury RG14 7TD |
| Dates | Wed 17 Apr to Tue 25 Jun 2013 Day: Wednesday Time of meeting: 7.00-9.00pm Number of meetings: 10 |
| Subject area(s) | Philosophy |
| CATS points | 10 |
| Fees | From £170.00 |
| Application status | Course cancelled |
| Course code | E12P564PHW |
| Course contact | If you have any questions about this course, please email ppweekly@conted.ox.ac.uk. |
Overview
Improve your reasoning skills by learning how to identify a logical argument, how to distinguish between good and bad arguments, and when to use what type of reasoning.Description
Correct critical reasoning is a crucial skill in many areas of our lives. We need to be able to critically assess the arguments expressed by politicians, journalists, writers and academics, as well as friends, family members and people at work. We also want our own views to be rational and able to stand up to critical scrutiny.This course provides an introduction to principles of good reasoning and basic skills in formal logic. It shows how to spot and avoid common fallacies and misuses of language. We will look at examples of both theoretical reasoning and the reasoning required in making practical decisions. The course will also ask to what extent the discussed principles of good reasoning can be seen as universally valid.
No previous knowledge of critical reasoning and logic is needed, only an ability and willingness to think rationally.
Programme details
Week 1: What is reasoning? What is an argument?Week 2: The pitfalls of our language and some rhetorical ploys.
Week 3: Good arguments (1): Deductive validity
Week 4: Good arguments (2): More on deductive validity.
Week 5: Good arguments (3): Inductive validity.
Week 6: How to construct different kinds of argument.
Week 7: How to assess an argument.
Week 8: Fallacies and other examples of bad reasoning.
Week 9: Reasoning, logic and truth.
Week 10: Practical reasoning.
Background Reading:
Bowell, T and Kemp, G Critical Thinking. A Concise Guide. 3rd edition (Routledge, 2009) [This is the textbook for the course and students are advised to buy a copy of it.]
Warburton, N Thinking from A to Z (Routledge, 2007) [This is a useful reference book, but will not be used within the course.]
Staff
Dr Andrea Lechler
Role: Tutor
Andrea Lechler holds a degree in Computational Linguistics, an MSc in Artificial Intelligence, and a PhD in Philosophy. She writes on ethics,...more
Course aims
Course Aims:To help students improve their critical reasoning skills.
Course Objectives:
1. To teach students how to identify and analyse arguments in texts or conversations.
2. To make students familiar with the logical principles underlying good reasoning.
3. To show how to spot fallacies and other types of bad reasoning.
Assessment methods
Students are assigned an exercise sheet each week. They choose four of these to submit for assessment.Teaching methods
Each session will involve a presentation by the tutor and exercises on the topic of the presentation. To consolidate their understanding of the subject students will be assigned further exercises as homework. Throughout the classes their will be plenty of opportunity for questions and discussion.Teaching outcomes
By the end of the course students will be expected to:1. be able to pick out and analyse arguments in texts and conversations.
2. be able to assess the validity of such arguments using basic logical and rhetorical principles.
3. use these skills in evaluating others' reasoning and in arriving at their own views.
Apply for this course
Sorry, this course is not currently accepting applications. If you have any questions about this course, please use the course enquiry form.