PLS2601 CRITICAL REASONING EXAM WITH ANSWERS

Which sentence best reflects the use of cntical reasoning?

1) lam old, I have experienced many things, so I am wise and my intellect has no Imts

2) When we play together I always assumed my best friend knew best because of her

confidence

3) My teachers were always annoyed by my constant questioning of their lessons

4) The search for truth is a task that only philosophers and scientists can do I have no

time for such

The Buddha believed that the path to wisdom and truth is insight into the causes of error

[which] results in the enlightenment of the self" (van den Berg, 2010 2) What makes this

statement a good reflection of critical reasoning

1) Cntical reasoning is about making yourself sound smart, thus the Buddha must have

been a crtcal thinker

2) Critical reasoning requires one to analyse our mistakes and use them to improve on

what one knows

3) Critical reasoning is only for the mystics because they are able to engage in selfreflection

4) Cntcal reasoning requires an open mind and the acceptance of new information even

f it is unsound

If cntical reasoning goes beyond the acquisition of knowledge, what would another of its

important functions be?

1) To ensure the best possible outcome in a debate for the arguer challenging another

through argument

2) To ensure one's status of being the ideal source of all forms of unquestioned

knowledge

3) To ensure that a version of the truth can always be argued in favour of the arguer's

clam

4) To ensure that we know how to apply the knowledge acquired from one's critical

engagements

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PLS2601

October/November

4 "Critical reasoning involves more than just the study of the structures of the validity of the

actual arguments"

Choose the statement that follows best from this claim

1) It requires that we analyse the quality of the arguments looking at their truth values

2) It requires that we focus on the extent to which the premises prove the conclusion

3) It requires that we focus solely on the impact of the conclusion to our arguments

4) It requires that we think logically in establishment of the validity of the argument

5 Which of the following is/are the basic component(s) to critical reasomng

Thinking for yourself

II Informed reasoning

Ill Equivocal thinking

IV Crtcal Self-reflection

1) I I, Ill and IV

2) 1, II and IV

3) All except 11

4) Only I

6 What is the function of a fallacious argument?

1) To offer a means in which we can cntcally engage with others in an argument

2) To ensure that we are able to assess the most truthful position in a debate

3) To persuade one to take on a position that is reasoned inadequately and falsely

4) To provide a sound deduction to the arguments presented to the respondent