Tools for Thinking
When it is not smart to argue.
What is:
1) When it wouldn't be socially appropriate
2) When neither person has any real knowledge about the subject.
3) When one of the persons involved is angry or not thinking clearly.
There are at least 2 of these with every issue.
What are viewpoints?
Using instruments, keeping records, being accurate.
What is being a keen observer?
The 2 types of sources.
What are primary and secondary sources?
The 2 parts of any argument
What are the premise and conclusion?
The rule for analysing sources/ what makes a source unreliable.
1. Define the problem
2. Pick a time
3. Encourage all ideas
4. Write it down
5. Categorize
The possibility fallacy.
What is: when we confuse that which is possible with that which is probable?
The 3 types of statements
What are facts, opinions, and inferences?
Reasons for someone to lie.
What is when it makes them look good or help their interests?
All the "news" data can give you.
What is:
Bad News
Good News
No News
Mysterious News
How to find the Premise and Conclusion
1. Ask "what is the author's point?
2. Ask "what facts or reasoning is the author using?"
3. Underline key sentences or mark the margins.
The 4 types of conversations.
What are discussions, disagreements, arguments, and fights?
What is circumstantial evidence?
When someone claims scientific methods but does not use any scientific tools or hides their methods.
What is pseudoscience?
How to list reasons for belief:
1) Recall your history
2) What things influenced you?
3) Talk to others who share your beliefs.
How to anticipate opposing arguments
1) Research the topic
2) Imagine yourself in the place of someone who disagrees.
The more of this there is, the more reliable a source becomes.
What is corroborating evidence?
All of the scientific tools.
What are observation, hypothesis, experimentation, data analysis, and getting advice/peer review?
The three things all good experiments need.
What are have a single test variable, have a control, and be repeated?