Module 3

Module 3 gives you the opportunity to gain insight into a number of common faults (fallacies) in reasoning. You will begin to understand what they are and why they should be avoided. You will get the opportunity to reflect on your own thinking and will start on your journey to develop a critical attitude towards all kinds of stereotypes and biases. 

Module 3 covers the following topics:

• • • Preconceived ideas

      • • Social conditioning

        • Labeling

        • Stereotypes

    • Fallacies

      • • Slippery slope argument

        • Straw man argument

        • Begging the question

        • Equivocation

        • Complex question

        • Faulty analogy

        • Ad hominem argument

        • False appeal to authority

        • False dilemma

        • Hasty generalization

After successfully completing Module 3, you should be able to:

• • • Identify and examine obstacles to clear thinking.

    • Recognize and interpret the nature of social conditioning and preconceived ideas. 

    • Illustrate labeling and stereotypes.

    • Identify fallacious statements.

    • Deconstruct arguments.

Readings

• • • Module 3 Lecture

    • Glossary

Web Resources

• • • Fallacies

      • • Critical Thinking 

        • Logical and Critical Thinking

        • The Fallacy Files: Definitions and examples of common logical fallacies. 

        • Bad Science: Contemporary examples of ways in which information, particularly statistical information, can be accidentally or willfully misinterpreted.

        • Friends of Science: Providing Insight into Climate Change

        • Why Scientists Disagree About Global Warming

        • Guide to the Logical Fallacies 

    • Slippery Slope

      • • The Slippery Slope Argument