PHI 1101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Critical Thinking, How We Think, Cultural Relativism

• School: University of Ottawa
• Department: Philosophy
• Course: PHI 1101
• Professor: Mark Brown

Document Summary

Critical thinking: the systematic evaluation of formulation of beliefs, or statements, by rational standards . Systematic: because it involves distinct procedures and methods (not just gut feelings, what we believe, etc. ) Evaluation and formulation: used to assess existing claims and devise new ones. Rational standards: claims are judged by how well they are supported by reasons. Self-interested thinking : accepting a claim solely on the grounds that it advances, or coincides with our interests, or even just helps us save face ) There"s nothing wrong with advocating things that are good for you, but if you accept a claim just because it"s in your own interests, then that"s a problem. I"m against gun control, because i"m a hunter. I got an f on the essay because the professor doesn"t know what she is doing. In every other class, i am getting an.