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Critical Thinking Class
Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 9:10 pm
by jwaters
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Re: Critical Thinking Class
Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 9:20 pm
by speedyj88
It certainly won't hurt but by that time in your studying I don't think it will help that much either. Regardless, it sounds like an interesting class.
Re: Critical Thinking Class
Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 10:08 pm
by arean.ryan
I took a similar course this summer titled, "Elementary Logic"; big help in aspects on syllogisms, deducing statements, contrapositives...doubt you will get the a good arsenal of knowledge by test day however
Re: Critical Thinking Class
Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2010 12:37 pm
by 3|ink
You'll learn a lot more than you'll need for the LSAT. I took my logic class ages ago, but I remember having to solve equations. It was almost like math, but easier.
Re: Critical Thinking Class
Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2010 7:35 pm
by phernandez10
That sounds like an introductory class in logic. My intro logic course was fairly basic (categorical syllogisms, fallacies, etc.), however I took an upper division course which was very helpful. I went deeper into the argument structure.
Course description:
"PHIL 350 Symbolic Logic (5)
The course is designed to develop our understanding of different logical notions, such as validity, consistency, logical truth and the formal structures that underlie good reasoning. There will be a focus on developing an ability to translate from a natural language to formal languages such as the propositional and predicate calculus, and a focus on developing an ability to use formal proof systems."
Re: Critical Thinking Class
Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2010 8:42 pm
by jdhopeful11
It won't really help. It will teach you how to think critically about everyday situations and society as well as assessing situations objectively.
Re: Critical Thinking Class
Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2010 12:11 am
by arean.ryan
phernandez10 wrote:
focus on developing an ability to translate from a natural language to formal languages such as the propositional and predicate calculus, and a focus on developing an ability to use formal proof systems."
My Elementary Logic class taught on formal proofs as well as propositional calculus. I really wanted to take symbolic logic as well but I graduated too soon

Re: Critical Thinking Class
Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2010 1:43 am
by phernandez10
arean.ryan wrote:phernandez10 wrote:
focus on developing an ability to translate from a natural language to formal languages such as the propositional and predicate calculus, and a focus on developing an ability to use formal proof systems."
My Elementary Logic class taught on formal proofs as well as propositional calculus. I really wanted to take symbolic logic as well but I graduated too soon

Most of my classmates couldn't understand categorical syllogisms so we spent most of the quarter on that alone. As for the Symbolic Logic course I suggest you go back
. Symbolic Logic was one of the main reasons I decided to major in philosophy.
Re: Critical Thinking Class
Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2010 1:49 am
by Chris_cpb
The basics of LR can be learned on your own, and this class probably wouldn't help for the more complex, difficult LR problems. I would not recommend it.
Re: Critical Thinking Class
Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2010 1:50 am
by jay115
I disagree. IMO, majoring in philosophy saved my LSAT score.
Re: Critical Thinking Class
Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2010 1:59 am
by Chris_cpb
jay115 wrote:I disagree. IMO, majoring in philosophy saved my LSAT score.
Disagree with what? A single introductory course in the basics of critical thinking is hardly relevant to taking complex 300+ level philosophy courses.
Re: Critical Thinking Class
Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2010 2:16 am
by jay115
Chris_cpb wrote:jay115 wrote:I disagree. IMO, majoring in philosophy saved my LSAT score.
Disagree with what? A single introductory course in the basics of critical thinking is hardly relevant to taking complex 300+ level philosophy courses.
You think learning about Kant's metaphysics or advanced political philosophy helps with the basics of logical reasoning? No - it was just the constant exposure to logical fallacies, regardless of topic or debate. Slowly, exposure leads to acclimation and recognition. This class sounds like a good introductory course for a non-philosophy major.
Re: Critical Thinking Class
Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2010 2:25 am
by Chris_cpb
jay115 wrote:Chris_cpb wrote:jay115 wrote:I disagree. IMO, majoring in philosophy saved my LSAT score.
Disagree with what? A single introductory course in the basics of critical thinking is hardly relevant to taking complex 300+ level philosophy courses.
You think learning about Kant's metaphysics or advanced political philosophy helps with the basics of logical reasoning? No - it was just the constant exposure to logical fallacies, regardless of topic or debate. Slowly, exposure leads to acclimation and recognition. This class sounds like a good introductory course for a non-philosophy major.
I took a class called something like "aesthetics of classic masterpieces" and it was one of my favorite classes ever! We looked at some stuff with Kant if I recall. Anyway, my point with the argument is that advanced logical reasoning strategies cannot be learned from an intro 'critical thinking' course while the basic logical reasoning strategies are almost common sense. I would, however, agree that this would be a fun class to take.