This document discusses different types of reasoning and fallacies in arguments. It defines reasoning as connecting evidence to a claim to create a logical argument. There are two main types of reasoning: deductive reasoning, which moves from general statements to specific conclusions, and inductive reasoning, which moves from specific instances to general conclusions. Common fallacies in arguments include false dilemmas, ad hominem attacks, hasty generalizations, and post hoc reasoning. Different inductive reasoning methods include causal, sign, comparison, authority, and numerous specific instances.

1. Reasoning Creating a Valid
Argument

2. Reasoning
The process of creating or
generating conclusions from
evidence
Connects evidence to the claim
Creates the logic of the argument
Definition

4. 1. Deductive
Types of Reasoning
Reasoning from a specific
instance to a general conclusion
Reasoning from a
general statement to a
specific conclusion
2. Inductive

5. Deductive
Reasoning Model
General Statement
Inductive Specific Instances
Specific Instances

6. Deductive
Reasoning Model
Those who take the
thinking class do well.
Inductive
Susan took the Thinking class
and now makes good decisions
Justin will make
good decisions.
Hector took the
Thinking class and
now makes good
decisions
Regina took the
Thinking class and now
makes good decisions
Anosh took the Thinking class
and now makes good decisions
Justin is taking the Thinking
class

7. 1. Major Premise
Deductive Reasoning
Jim Marteney is a critical thinking teacher
All critical thinking teachers are “stud muffins”
2. Minor Premise (observation)
Jim Marteney is a
3. Conclusion
“stud muffin”
Valid? -
Accurate? -
yes
no

8. Not Good at Deductive Reasoning

9. Good at Deductive Reasoning

10. Example
Causal
Sign
Comparison
Authority
Numerous specific instances
One instance caused by another
One instance indicates another
Analogies or what similarities exist
What a credible source says
Types of Inductive Reasoning

11. An error in reasoning
Different from a factual error
A mistake in the validity of an
argument
Fallacies

12. False Dilemma
A false range of choices
Often stated as “either” “or”
Fallacies
“You either support the President, or
you hate this country.”

13. ad hominem
Latin for “against the man”
Denying the argument just
because of the source
Fallacies
“You can’t believe that report, it was
on Fox News.”

14. Hasty Generalization
Draws a conclusion on too few examples
The examples may not be typical of the
entire population
Fallacies
“I dated a red head once and she was
crazy. All red heads are crazy.”

15. Post hoc propter hoc
After this, therefore because of this
A mistake that because one
thing happens, so does another
Fallacies
Often a source for superstitions