Philosophy 107 - Informal Logic,Critical Reasoning

Institution:

Bard College

Subject:

Description:

The aim of this course is to strengthen the ability to reason well. The emphasis is on techniques of inductive reasoning, although certain basic elements of "formal" logic, such as the structure ofsyllogisms, the rules of validity, and the use of syllogisms in ordinary reasoning are touched upon. Students practice techniques of diagramming and distilling arguments; learn methods of detecting common fallacies of reasoning; study central features of inductive reasoning such as the nature of causal inference and argument by analogy; and investigate the relation between argumentation and explanation. The course proceeds through progressively more complex examples of reasoning and argument, and eventually to the evaluation of extended arguments from the domains of politics, social policy, law, and ethics.

Credits:

4.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.bard.edu

Phone Number:

(845) 758-6822

Regional Accreditation:

Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools

Calendar System:

Semester

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