Logical Foundations of Critical Thinking

At the heart of critical thinking is the ability to reason well. When we reason, our aim is to identify beliefs or actions which are supported by current mental states of ours. This course will consider different ways in which beliefs can be supported by other beliefs as well as different ways in which actions can be supported by beliefs and other mental states.

We will look at two types of reasoning about what to believe: deductive reasoning and inductive reasoning. In good deductive reasoning, the beliefs functioning as premises provide total support for the conclusion; the truth of the premises guarantees the truth of the conclusion. In contrast, in good inductive reasoning, the premises only provide a high degree of support for the conclusion; the conclusion could be false even if the premises are true. We will discuss different conceptions of good deductive and inductive inferences.

In the area of reasoning about what to do, we will consider means-end reasoning, decision theory and moral reasoning. We will ask what legitimate role mental states like desires or emotions can play in such reasoning.

Places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, and once places are full, we will maintain a waiting list.

Please only register if you are certain of your availability and commitment to attend.

This event is not delivered by the SWDTP. For enquiries, please contact granduniondtp@socsci.ox.ac.uk