Critical Reasoning

Front 1

A typical argument structure

Back 1

Evidence 1 + Evidence 2
[Assumption]
=
Conclusion

Front 2

What is assumption

Back 2

- it is usually not stated in the text;
- it is the only key element to destroy or solidfy the argument;

Front 3

What happen if assumption is not evidently true?

Back 3

While holding everything in the argument constant, when assumption is not approved, then the whole conclusion will not make sense anymore.

Front 4

What happen if assumption is evidently true?

Back 4

While holding everything in the argument constant, when assumption is approved, then the whole conclusion will be sensible.

Front 5

Example:
Last week Mike was detained for shoplifting at a groceries store near his house, but he has been a Christian for 10 years, therefore, the police must have been wrong accusing him in stealing.

Back 5

Parphrase the argument:
Mike was arrested for shoplifting last week but he was a Christian. Therefore, the police caught the wrong person.

Assumption - All Christians will never steal.

Front 6

Example:
The study shows that chocolate will not cause heart disease. Therefore, people buy more chocolate.

Back 6

Assumption:
People don't buy chocolate becoz they afraid to have heart disease.

Front 7

What is inference?

Back 7

Extension derived from a couple pieces of given evidence;

Nothing is related to assumption or conclusion;

Front 8

how to determine the assumption which can link the given conclusion and evidences together?

Back 8

- linking could occur when sth in evidence represnt the general representatives for sth in conclusion.

- linking could occur when there is the correlation between sth in evidence and in conclusion