Thinking Skills: Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

42 Unit 2 Critical thinking: the basics

Summary

•   We have looked at the workings of some

relatively simple arguments, and suggested

some ways of analysing and interpreting

them, by identifying the reason(s) and the

conclusion, and explaining the structure.

•   Reasons (premises) can operate

in combination with each other, or

independently.

•   Some parts of a text may not belong to the

actual argument.

because analysis is a form of interpretation,

and different interpretations can be found for

the same text. The more complex the text,

the more room there is for differing

interpretations.

So, if your way of reconstructing an

argument is not exactly the same as the one

suggested in the book, this won’t necessarily

mean that yours is wrong. What is important

is that you recognise the conclusion and the

main reasons, and that you are satisfied that

you understand the argument and can explain

it clearly. Analysis helps you to be clear, but it

should not be a straitjacket.

huge for those who reach the top that the

risk will always seem worth taking.

c No sport should be allowed in which the

prime object is to injure an opponent.

Nor should any sport be allowed in which

the spectators enjoy seeing competitors

inflict physical harm on each other. On

that score, boxing should be one of the

first sports to be outlawed. What boxers

have to do, in order to win matches, is to

batter their opponents senseless in front

of large, bloodthirsty crowds.

Answers and comments are on page 312.

Analyse the following arguments using the

methods discussed in this unit.

a People shouldn’t be fooled into buying

bottled mineral water. It’s meant to be

safe but there have been several health

alerts about chemicals found in some

brands. It costs silly money, and anyway

tap water, which is free, is just as good.

b It is inevitable that every year some

athletes will give in to the temptation of

taking performance-enhancing drugs. At

the highest levels of sport, drugs can

make the difference between winning gold

and winning nothing. The rewards are so

End-of-chapter assignment