Critical Thinking Course Online

INTRODUCTORY IDEAS:

In Critical Thinking an argument is an appeal to reason which has three parts. They are a reason, a conclusion and some words which try to persuade you that what is being said is true.
A reason is a cause which makes something happen.
A conclusion is a result or judgement which has been caused by the reason. “Conclusion” in Critical Thinking does not mean the final point in a written passage as it often does in books and coursework.
Persuasion tries to influence you into believing or doing something.

Usually when you speak about a friend having an argument you mean that he is having a difference of opinion with somebody else. In Critical Thinking this is called a disagreement or a quarrel. You can identify a disagreement when you see two different opinions which do not contain arguments or reasons.

Fred Ferret and Mr Ferret (Dad)

1. Disagreement	<< The following examples illustrate the two ideas of a disagreement and an argument
2. Argument	In the example, Fred makes an argument which consists of the following: *Reason* - The notes on the internet are better than mine Conclusion - so you should revise from them. “you should revise” is an element of persuasion

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