Critical Thinking: Fundamentals of Good Reasoning from edX

This course is an introduction to critical thinking—thinking about arguments, about reasons that might be given in support of a conclusion. The objective of the course is to improve the student's ability in the basic skills of critical thinking:

● how to recognize arguments,

● how to interpret them,

● how to evaluate them,

● how to construct them.

Developing these skills is extremely important, because critical thinking is an essential, pervasive part of our lives. We need to think critically whenever we consider reasons for or against some claim or action—something required in all fields of knowledge and all kinds of decision-making.

Of course, we all know, to some extent or another, how to think critically—how to think about reasons for or against some claim. The course is built on the assumption that learning more about what exactly is involved in thinking about reasons leads us to do it better. Thus, in each topic covered, our natural logical instincts serve as a starting point, from which we develop a rigorous, theoretical understanding, which then boosts our critical thinking skills.

What's inside

Learning objectives

● arguments: what they are and how to recognize them
● interpretation: saying what the argument is
● evaluation: arguments good and bad
● the logic of sets
● conditional and disjunctive arguments

● truth trees and relations
● generalization and causation
● analogy and explanation
● constructing arguments

● arguments: what they are and how to recognize them
● interpretation: saying what the argument is
● evaluation: arguments good and bad
● the logic of sets
● conditional and disjunctive arguments
● truth trees and relations
● generalization and causation
● analogy and explanation
● constructing arguments

Syllabus

Lesson 1. What’s “Critical Thinking?”Lesson 2. What are Arguments Made Of?Lesson 3. From Premises to ConclusionsLesson 4. Recognizing Arguments: IntroductionLesson 5. Argument vs. The Text Containing ItLesson 6. Recognizing ConclusionsLesson 7. Arguments vs. ExplanationsLesson 8. Argument Diagrams: IntroductionLesson 9. More about Argument DiagramsLesson 10. Argument Diagrams: ExamplesLesson 11. HedgesLesson 12. DisclaimersLesson 13. ExamplesLesson 14. Rhetorical LanguageLesson 15. Referential AttributionLesson 16. Principles of InterpretationLesson 17. Implicit PremisesLesson 18. What’s a Good Argument?Lesson 19. More Virtues of ArgumentsLesson 20. Argument Ad HominemLesson 21. Argument Ad VerecundiamLesson 22. Argument Ad PopulumLesson 23. Argument Ad IgnorantiamLesson 24. Argument Ad Baculum and Ad MisericordiamLesson 25. Venn DiagramsLesson 26. Beyond VennLesson 27. Modus PonensLesson 28. Modus TollensLesson 29. ConditionalsLesson 30. Reductio Ad AbsurdumLesson 31. Process of EliminationLesson 32. Separation of CasesLesson 33. Truth Trees: An ExampleLesson 34. How to Grow Truth TreesLesson 35. Truth Trees: Another ExampleLesson 36. Reflexive RelationsLesson 37. Symmetric RelationsLesson 38. Transitive RelationsLesson 39. Inductive GeneralizationLesson 40. What's a Good Sample?Lesson 41. The New Riddle of InductionLesson 42. From Induction to CausationLesson 43. Evaluating Causal GeneralizationsLesson 44. Argument from Analogy: BasicsLesson 45. Argument from Analogy: ExamplesLesson 46. Who Needs Analogues?Lesson 47. Inference to the Best ExplanationLesson 48. ExperimentationLesson 49. Building an ArgumentLesson 50. Writing Up an Argument

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Examines reasoning and argumentation, a foundational skill for philosophers, scientists, and laypeople alike

Beginner-friendly, providing a solid introduction to the fundamentals of critical thinking

Covers a comprehensive range of topics, from basic concepts to advanced logical fallacies

Led by instructors with expertise in critical thinking and logic

Highly relevant for students pursuing higher education in fields that emphasize analytical thinking

Suitable for learners looking to enhance their logical reasoning abilities for personal or professional development

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 Critical Thinking: Fundamentals of Good Reasoning with these activities:

Review formal logic techniques using Andrew Ng's course videos

Show steps

Supplement your understanding of formal logic with materials from Andrew Ng, a leading instructor in the field of machine learning and deep learning.

Show steps

Identify relevant video lectures from Andrew Ng's course materials.
Review the video materials and take notes on key concepts and techniques.
Practice applying the techniques to real-world examples.

Read "Thinking and Being" by Irad Kimhi

Show steps

Enhance your understanding of the philosophical foundations of critical thinking by delving into Irad Kimhi's insightful work, which explores the relationship between thought and existence.

View Thinking and Being on Amazon

Show steps

Read the book thoroughly and take notes on key arguments and concepts.
Summarize the main ideas of each chapter in your own words.
Identify and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the author's arguments.

Complete practice exercises on logical reasoning websites

Show steps

Sharpen your critical thinking skills by engaging in regular practice exercises designed to test your ability to analyze arguments and evaluate evidence.

Browse courses on Logical Reasoning

Show steps

Identify reputable websites or platforms that offer logical reasoning exercises.
Set aside dedicated time for completing the exercises.
Review your answers and identify areas for improvement.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Participate in a study group to discuss course concepts and practice critical thinking skills

Show steps

Engage with peers to exchange ideas, clarify concepts, and enhance your critical thinking abilities through collaborative learning.

Browse courses on Critical Thinking

Show steps

Find or form a study group with other students in the course.
Establish regular meeting times and a structured agenda.
Take turns presenting and discussing course concepts and challenging each other's arguments.

Develop an infographic or flowchart summarizing the key concepts of critical thinking

Show steps

Create a visual representation of the key concepts covered in the course, which can serve as a valuable study tool and reinforce your understanding.

Browse courses on Critical Thinking

Show steps

Identify the core concepts and principles of critical thinking.
Choose an appropriate visual format (e.g., infographic, flowchart).
Design and create the visual representation.

Volunteer as a tutor or mentor for students struggling with critical thinking concepts

Show steps

Deepen your understanding of critical thinking concepts and develop your communication skills by sharing your knowledge with others.

Browse courses on Critical Thinking

Show steps

Identify opportunities to volunteer as a tutor or mentor.
Prepare lesson plans and materials to assist students.
Provide guidance and support to students, helping them improve their critical thinking abilities.

Contribute to open-source projects related to logic and critical thinking

Show steps

Immerse yourself in practical applications of critical thinking by contributing to open-source projects that involve logical reasoning and argument analysis.

Browse courses on Logic

Show steps

Identify open-source projects that align with your interests and skills.
Review the project documentation and identify areas where you can contribute.
Make code contributions, write documentation, or participate in discussions.

Career center

Learners who complete Critical Thinking: Fundamentals of Good Reasoning will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Logic Teacher

Logic Teachers help students understand the principles of logic and reasoning. They must be able to think critically and communicate their ideas effectively. This course in Critical Thinking: Fundamentals of Good Reasoning can help aspiring Logic Teachers to develop the skills needed to succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Logic Teacher

Lawyer

Lawyers use critical thinking to analyze legal issues and develop arguments for their clients. They must be able to think logically and analyze information effectively. This course in Critical Thinking: Fundamentals of Good Reasoning can help aspiring Lawyers to develop the skills needed to succeed in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Lawyer

Technical Writer

Technical Writers take complex information and make it understandable to a broader audience. This requires the ability to analyze information and present it in a coherent and logical way. Taking this course will help to develop the critical thinking skills needed for a career as a Technical Writer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

Data Analyst

Data Analysts use critical thinking to analyze data and identify trends. They must be able to interpret data and communicate their findings effectively. This course in Critical Thinking: Fundamentals of Good Reasoning can help aspiring Data Analysts to develop the skills needed to succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Manager

Managers use critical thinking to make decisions and solve problems. They must be able to think logically and communicate their ideas effectively. This course in Critical Thinking: Fundamentals of Good Reasoning can help aspiring Managers to develop the skills needed to succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Manager

Consultant

Consultants use critical thinking to analyze problems and develop solutions. They must be able to think logically and communicate their ideas effectively. This course in Critical Thinking: Fundamentals of Good Reasoning can help aspiring Consultants to develop the skills needed to succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Consultant

Teacher

Teachers use critical thinking to develop lesson plans and teach students. They must be able to think logically and communicate their ideas effectively. This course in Critical Thinking: Fundamentals of Good Reasoning can help aspiring Teachers to develop the skills needed to succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Teacher

Research Analyst

Research Analysts sift through raw data and translate it into usable information. Their ability to think critically and follow a logical train of thought are crucial skills in this career. This course in Critical Thinking: Fundamentals of Good Reasoning will build upon the skills of recognizing, interpreting, and evaluating arguments. This is helpful for understanding the basis of complex data and creating logical conclusions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Research Analyst

UX Designer

UX Designers use critical thinking to design user interfaces. They must be able to think logically and understand how users interact with websites and apps. This course may be useful for those who want to pursue a career as a UX Designer, as it will help them to develop the critical thinking skills necessary for success in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for UX Designer

Software Engineer

Software Engineers use critical thinking to design and develop software. They must be able to think logically and solve problems. This course may be useful for those who want to pursue a career as a Software Engineer, as it will help them to develop the critical thinking skills necessary for success in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Web Developer

Web Developers use critical thinking to design and develop websites. They must be able to think logically and solve problems. This course may be useful for those who want to pursue a career as a Web Developer, as it will help them to develop the critical thinking skills necessary for success in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer

Entrepreneur

Entrepreneurs use critical thinking to develop business plans and start businesses. They must be able to think logically and make decisions. This course may be useful for those who want to pursue a career as an Entrepreneur, as it will help them to develop the critical thinking skills necessary for success in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Entrepreneur

Business Analyst

Business Analysts use critical thinking to analyze business problems. They must be able to think logically and develop solutions. This course may be useful for those who want to pursue a career as a Business Analyst, as it will help them to develop the critical thinking skills necessary for success in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Journalist

Journalists use critical thinking to gather and analyze information. They must be able to evaluate the credibility of sources and present information in a clear and concise way. This course may be helpful for those who want to pursue a career as a Journalist, as it will help them to develop the critical thinking skills necessary for success in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Journalist

Philosopher

Philosophers use critical thinking to analyze and evaluate arguments. They develop theories about the nature of reality, knowledge, and ethics. This course may be useful for those who want to pursue a career as a Philosopher, as it will help them to develop the critical thinking skills necessary for success in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Philosopher