Critical Analysis Flashcards

A paragraph states: 'All mammals are warm-blooded. Dolphins are mammals. Therefore, dolphins are warm-blooded.' This is an example of:

Answer: Deductive reasoning

Deductive reasoning draws a certain conclusion from general premises that guarantee it.

Which of the following would most weaken the argument that increasing minimum wage reduces employment?

Answer: Studies showing no significant job loss in regions that raised minimum wage

Empirical evidence of no significant job loss directly challenges the claim that minimum wage increases reduce employment.

An unstated premise that an argument relies on to be valid is called a(n):

Answer: Assumption

An assumption is an unstated belief or premise the argument takes for granted.

The phrase 'begging the question' in formal logic refers to:

Answer: Using the conclusion as one of the premises

Begging the question (circular reasoning) occurs when the conclusion is assumed within the premises.

A politician states, 'My opponent has never run a business, so his economic plan will fail.' The reasoning flaw here is:

Answer: Ad hominem / genetic fallacy

Attacking someone's background rather than their argument is an ad hominem or genetic fallacy.

Which critical reading strategy best helps identify the author's bias in a persuasive text?

Answer: Noting which perspectives are included versus omitted

Identifying whose perspectives are absent reveals what the author may be overlooking or suppressing intentionally.

An argument concludes that because a treatment worked for ten patients, it will work for everyone. This illustrates:

Answer: Hasty generalization

A hasty generalization draws a broad conclusion from an insufficient or unrepresentative sample.