What is a Good Argument? Validity and Tr...

Part six of a six-part series on critical reasoning. In this final lecture we will look at fallacies. These are bad arguments that can easily be mistaken for good arguments. 

Part five of a six-part series on critical reasoning. In this lecture we will continue with the evaluation of arguments - this time deductive arguments - focusing in particular on the notion of validity. 

Part three of a six-part series on critical reasoning. In this lecture we will focus on how to identify and analyse arguments, and how to set arguments out logic book-style to make them easier to evaluate. 

Lecture 1 of 6 in Marianne Talbot's series on critical reasoning for beginners. 

Useful phrases for some of the most intense "conversations" you can have: arguments! Tempers may be running high, so it's always good to have a stock of phrases that you can fall back in should you ever be unfortunate enough to have an argument with a Latino/a or Spaniard! 

<p>Why do smart people believe irrational things? Why do we cling to our beliefs even in the face of overwhelming evidence? The biggest obstacle to critical thinking isn't always "out there"—it's inside our own heads. Our brains are hardwired with mental shortcuts, or cognitive b ... Show More

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for March 6, 2024 is: ad hominem &#149; \ad-HAH-muh-num\  &#149; adjective Something described as ad hominem involves an attack on an opponent’s character rather than an answer to assertions or points that the opponent has made. // The debate bet ... Show More

I guarantee that the words you use to win arguments are ineffective. I don’t think you’re a lousy persuader, I think we all are. Today, world-leading neuroscientist Tali Sharot shares her decade-long research into persuasion. She tells me that the way I argue is ineffective and r ... Show More

MSNBC’s Mehdi Hasan isn’t one to avoid arguments. He relishes them as the lifeblood of democracy and the only surefire way to establish the truth. Arguments help us solve problems, uncover new ideas we might not have considered, and nudge our disagreements toward mutual understan ... Show More

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for March 6, 2024 is: ad hominem &#149; \ad-HAH-muh-num\  &#149; adjective Something described as ad hominem involves an attack on an opponent’s character rather than an answer to assertions or points that the opponent has made. // The debate bet ... Show More

What happens when ideology replaces critical thinking across academia? Philosopher, author, and former professor Peter Boghossian witnessed this firsthand at Portland State University, and his school was not an anomaly. Known for his role in the “Grievance Studies Affair”, exposi ... Show More

<p>Everyone argues with their partner, it’s inevitable. But, many of us are getting it wrong…small issues turn into massive fights, we hold grudges, refuse to apologize, get defensive and say things we regret. Clinical Psychologist and relationship expert Nancy Dreyfus is here to ... Show More