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
Web Resources
Fallacies
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.
Slippery Slope