Think Again II: How to Reason Deductively from Coursera

Deductive arguments are supposed to be valid in the sense that the premises guarantee that the conclusion is true. In this course, you will learn how to use truth-tables and Venn diagrams to represent the information contained in the premises and conclusion of an argument so that you can determine whether or not the argument is deductively valid.

Syllabus

Welcome to the Course

Welcome to Think Again: How to Reason Deductively! This course is the second in the specialization Introduction to Logic and Critical Thinking, based on our original Coursera course titled Think Again: How to Reason and Argue. We are excited that you are taking this course, and we hope that you will stick around for all four courses in the series, because there is a great deal of important material to learn.In the series as a whole, you will learn how to evaluate deductive arguments. What is it for a deductive to be “valid”? And how can you tell the difference between deductive arguments that are valid and those that aren’t? In this course, we will answer these questions. The first part of this course introduces the series and the course. It also clarifies some peculiarities you may find with this course. We encourage you to watch the "Introduction to the Specialization" video first as it will help you learn more from the materials that come later.

Propositional Logic and Truth Tables

CONTENT: This week we will teach you how such phrases as “and”, “or”, “if”, and “not” can work to guarantee the validity or invalidity of the deductive arguments in which they occur. It will also teach you to understand the functioning of these phrases using a device called a “truth-table”, which shows how the truth or falsity of propositions that use these phrases depends upon the truth or falsity of the propositions contained within it. We highly recommend that you practice the skills that you will learn in this week by doing the puzzles at betapuzzle.sonjara.com.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: By the end of this week’s material you will be able to :

define what a deductive argument is
define what it is for a deductive argument to be valid
identify truth-functional operators and connectives
build a truth-table for any truth-functional operator or connective

OPTIONAL READING: If you want more examples or more detailed discussions of these topics, we recommend Understanding Arguments, Ninth Edition, Chapter 6.

Categorical Logic and Syllogisms

CONTENT: This week will teach you how such phrases as “all”, “some”, and “none” can work to guarantee the validity or invalidity of the deductive arguments in which they occur. It will also teach you to understand the functioning of these phrases using a device called a “Venn Diagram”, which shows how the truth or falsity of propositions that use these phrases depends upon the truth or falsity of other propositions that use these phrases. We highly recommend that you practice the skills that you will learn in this week by doing the puzzles at http://philgames-neta.apps.unc.edu

LEARNING OUTCOMES: By the end of this week’s material you will be able to :

understand the information conveyed by a truth-table
use truth-tables to determine whether a deductive argument is valid
identify quantifiers and categories
build a Venn Diagram for any statement using quantifiers or categories

OPTIONAL READING: If you want more examples or more detailed discussions of these topics, we recommend Understanding Arguments, Ninth Edition, Chapter 7.

Representing Information

CONTENT: This week we will teach you how to use the tools that you’ve learned about in the preceding modules in order to represent information. Information can be communicated in very different ways – by means of different languages or signaling systems – but no matter how that information is communicated, it can be important to use that information in reasoning. In this week, you will learn how to reason from information that is communicated directly by means of truth-tables or Venn Diagrams.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: By the end of this week's material you will be able to:

understand the information conveyed by a Venn Diagram
use Venn Diagram to determine whether a deductive argument is valid

Catch-Up and Final Quiz

This week gives you time to catch up and review, because we realize that the previous weeks include a great deal of challenging material. It will also be provide enough time to take the final quiz as often as you want, with different questions each time.

We explain the answers in each exam so that you can learn more and do better when you try the exam again. You may take the quiz as many times as you want in order to learn more and do better, with different questions each time. You will be able to retake the quiz three times every eight hours. You might not need to take more than one version of the exam if you do well enough on your first try. That is up to you. However many versions you take, we hope that all of the exams will provide additional learning experiences.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Teaches a foundational method for evaluating a deductive argument's validity using truth-tables

This course has a strong reputation, as it's developed by Walter Sinnott-Armstrong, a prominent professor of philosophy and expert in logic and critical thinking

Can help develop a foundational understanding of truth-functional operators, connectives, quantifiers, and categories

Covers material that is typically included in the first two chapters of a textbook on informal logic

Introduces a systematic approach to identifying the core structure of a deductive argument in order to evaluate its validity

Requires no prior knowledge of deductive logic, making it accessible to a wide range of students

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Think Again II: How to Reason Deductively with these activities:

Read 'Thinking and Reasoning' by Robert J. Sternberg and Richard K. Wagner

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This book provides a comprehensive overview of the field of cognitive science and its application to reasoning.

View Practical Intelligence in Everyday Life on Amazon

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Read the book.
Take notes on the key concepts.
Write a short summary of the book.

Review categorical logic

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This activity will help you refresh your knowledge of categorical logic, which is another essential component of deductive reasoning.

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Read the course materials on categorical logic.
Do practice exercises on categorical logic.
Create a Venn diagram for a categorical statement.

Learn Basic Boolean Logic

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Boolean Logic is a critical component of this course. Before beginning, ensure that you have a solid foundation in it.

Browse courses on Boolean Logic

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Review the concepts of truth tables and truth values.
Practice constructing truth tables for simple and compound propositions.
Identify the different logical operators and their symbols.

Six other activities

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Review truth tables

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This activity will help you develop a strong understanding of truth tables and propositional logic, which are essential components of deductive reasoning.

Browse courses on Truth Tables

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Read the course materials on truth tables.
Do practice exercises on truth table construction.
Create a truth table for a complex propositional statement.

Form a study group

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This activity will help you to learn from your peers and to improve your understanding of the course material.

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Identify potential study partners.
Meet up with your study partners and create a schedule.
Discuss the course material and work on practice problems together.

Deductive reasoning practice

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This activity will help you develop your deductive reasoning skills through practice.

Browse courses on Deductive Reasoning

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Find practice problems on deductive reasoning.
Solve the practice problems.
Check your answers and identify your mistakes.

Learn about logical fallacies

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This activity will help you learn about logical fallacies and how to avoid them in your own reasoning.

Browse courses on Logical Fallacies

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Read an article or watch a video about logical fallacies.
Identify logical fallacies in real-world examples.
Write a short essay about a specific logical fallacy.

Attend a logic workshop

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This activity will provide you with an opportunity to learn from experts in logic and to network with other students.

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Find a logic workshop in your area.
Register for the workshop.
Attend the workshop and participate in the discussions.
Network with other students and professionals in the field.

Create a logic resource guide

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This activity will help you to organize and synthesize your learning from the course.

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Identify resources that you found helpful during the course.
Organize the resources into a coherent guide.
Share your guide with other students.

Career center

Learners who complete Think Again II: How to Reason Deductively will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Intelligence Analyst

Deductive reasoning is a foundational skill for an Intelligence Analyst, as it allows them to analyze complex information and draw logical conclusions. The course provides a strong grounding in the principles and techniques of deductive reasoning, using truth tables and Venn diagrams to represent and assess the validity of arguments. Moreover, the focus on information representation will equip analysts with the tools to effectively communicate their findings.

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Lawyer

A lawyer must be able to construct and evaluate legal arguments. This course will introduce key principles of deductive reasoning, including the use of truth tables and Venn diagrams to analyze and assess the validity of arguments. These skills will help lawyers build strong cases, identify potential flaws in opposing arguments, and effectively persuade judges and juries.

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Forensic Analyst

A Forensic Analyst teaches the key principles of deductive reasoning, which can be applied to the systematic collection, analysis, and interpretation of digital and physical evidence. The skills learned in the course, such as the use of truth tables and Venn diagrams to represent and assess the validity of logical arguments, can be critical for forensic analysts who need to carefully evaluate evidence, identify patterns, and draw logical conclusions in criminal investigations.

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Auditor

Auditors rely on deductive reasoning to evaluate financial data and ensure compliance with regulations. This course will provide a comprehensive understanding of deductive reasoning techniques, enabling auditors to analyze and interpret complex financial information. The skills learned in the course, such as using truth tables and Venn diagrams to represent and assess the validity of logical arguments, will enhance auditors' abilities to identify inconsistencies and errors, ensuring the accuracy and integrity of financial statements.

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Researcher

Researchers often need to analyze and synthesize information from multiple sources to draw logical conclusions. This course in deductive reasoning will provide researchers with the tools to critically evaluate arguments, identify potential biases, and construct sound logical arguments to support their research findings.

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Consultant

Consultants often need to quickly grasp complex information and make recommendations based on logical reasoning. This course can be particularly helpful for consultants, as it provides a structured approach to deductive reasoning, using truth tables and Venn diagrams to analyze and assess the validity of arguments. These skills will enable consultants to provide well-reasoned and persuasive recommendations to their clients.

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Data Scientist

Data scientists must be able to analyze and interpret large amounts of data to draw meaningful conclusions. This course will provide a solid foundation in deductive reasoning techniques, enabling data scientists to effectively analyze and draw logical conclusions from complex datasets.

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Policy Analyst

Policy analysts evaluate and develop public policies, which requires the ability to analyze complex information and construct logical arguments. This course will provide policy analysts with the skills to identify and evaluate deductive arguments, ensuring that policies are based on sound reasoning and evidence.

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Journalist

Journalists must be able to evaluate the validity of arguments and sources of information. This course will provide journalists with the tools to analyze and assess deductive arguments, enabling them to critically evaluate information and present well-reasoned and accurate reporting.

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Teacher

To effectively teach deductive reasoning to students, teachers need a deep understanding of the subject matter. This course will provide teachers with a comprehensive grounding in deductive reasoning principles, including the use of truth tables and Venn diagrams. Moreover, the focus on representing information will equip teachers with the skills to effectively convey these concepts to students.

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Actuary

Actuaries use mathematical and statistical techniques to assess risk and uncertainty. This course will provide actuaries with a strong foundation in deductive reasoning, enabling them to analyze and interpret complex data, construct logical arguments, and make well-informed decisions in the face of uncertainty.

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Software Engineer

Many software engineering tasks require logical reasoning and problem-solving abilities. This course can provide software engineers with a structured approach to deductive reasoning, using truth tables and Venn diagrams to analyze and assess the validity of arguments. These skills will enable software engineers to design and implement robust and reliable software systems.

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Technical Writer

Technical writers must be able to clearly and logically convey complex technical information. This course will provide technical writers with the skills to structure and present deductive arguments, ensuring that technical documentation is accurate, easy to understand, and persuasive.

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Risk Manager

Risk managers need to be able to assess and mitigate risks effectively. This course will provide risk managers with a structured approach to deductive reasoning, using truth tables and Venn diagrams to analyze and evaluate potential risks. These skills will enable risk managers to make well-informed decisions and develop strategies to mitigate risks effectively.

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Financial Analyst

Financial analysts use deductive reasoning to evaluate financial data and make investment recommendations. This course will provide financial analysts with a solid foundation in deductive reasoning techniques, enabling them to analyze and interpret complex financial information and make informed investment decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst