Brandon’s Commentary

CT Ep. 17c: Kinds of Claims

In addition to whether a claim is a "Main Claim" versus numerous other MINOR claims one might make in an argument, claims can be classified into
1) claims of FACT
2) claims of CAUSE AND EFFECT
3) claims of VALUE
4) claims of DEFINITION

CT Ep. 17b: Arguments in Writing: Common Ground, Claims, Reasons, Evidence

WARNING! I'm not happy with the way this one came out. I realize I should incorporate visual aids like charts, animation, and B-roll because things can be confusing but I don't have time to do it. :(  I'm waiting on some of you video editors to get out and help me with these projects! 
Here's a visual aid for most of what I'm saying in this video:
Introduction: Say What You're Gonna Say
1. Common Ground
2. The problem being addressed
3. Your Thesis/Main Claim/Main Idea/Main Point/Conclusion
4. Brief explanation of how the argument will proceed
Body: Say It
Premise 1/Claim 1Reasons and Evidence for Premise 1/Claim 1
Premise 2/Claim 2Reasons and Evidence for Premise 2/Claim 2
Premise 3/Claim 3Reasons and Evidence for Premise 3/Claim 3
Conclusion: Say What You Said
1. Restatement of your Common Ground
2. Restatement of the Problem that was addressed
3. Restatement of your Thesis/Main Claim/Main Idea/Main Point/Conclusion
4. List the implications of your conclusion (in other words, explain what the implications and consequences are if your thesis is true
5. List further areas of study or research that are needed in this area

CT Ep. 17a: Introduction to Argumentation

CT Ep. 16: Reason, Reasons, and Reasoning

CT Ep. 15: Open-mindedness as an Intellectual Virtue

CT Ep. 14: Intellectual Virtues

CT Ep. 13: Goals of Critical Thinking: Judgment

We all make judgments about people. It is the most natural thing in the world. It is actually inescapable. The problem is not judging people, the problem is inaccurately judging people. In this episode, I explain a few different ways that we judge people and how critical thinking supports good judgment. 

CT Ep. 12: Goals of Critical Thinking: Interpretation

Another important goal of good critical thinking is to correctly interpret other people. Whether we are reading a book like the Bible, reading a letter or email, watching the news, listening to a teacher in class, or talking face-to-face with someone, we want to make sure we are accurately interpreting the meanings and intentions being expressed by other people. There is a vast literature on the art and science of interpretation, also known as hermeneutics. In this episode, I merely introduce you to the concept of proper interpretation. 

CT Ep. 11: Goals of Critical Thinking: Truth

After several discussions about obstacles in the way of good thinking, this short talk is about the most important goal we have when thinking clearly--TRUTH!

CT Ep. 10b: Four Types of Cognitive Bias

This is the second half of the discussion on cognitive biases. I give four examples of cognitive biases: confirmation bias, anchoring bias, availability bias, and the Dunning-Kruger effect.