Critical thinking and argumentation
A.A. 2025/2026
Obiettivi formativi
By the end of the course, students are expected to:
1. Clearly understand and explain the concepts of logical arguments and fallacies.
2. Identify and analyze formal and informal logical fallacies in various texts.
3. Recognize cognitive biases and understand their impact on reasoning and decision-making.
4. Apply strategies to reduce noise and improve the quality of judgments and decisions.
5. Develop critical thinking skills that enable them to challenge assumptions and approach complex issues independently.
1. Clearly understand and explain the concepts of logical arguments and fallacies.
2. Identify and analyze formal and informal logical fallacies in various texts.
3. Recognize cognitive biases and understand their impact on reasoning and decision-making.
4. Apply strategies to reduce noise and improve the quality of judgments and decisions.
5. Develop critical thinking skills that enable them to challenge assumptions and approach complex issues independently.
Risultati apprendimento attesi
● Analytical Skills: Enhance your ability to critically assess arguments and evidence.
● Practical Application: Apply theoretical knowledge through practical exercises and real-world examples.
● Independent Thinking: Gain the confidence to challenge assumptions and think independently on important issues.
● Practical Application: Apply theoretical knowledge through practical exercises and real-world examples.
● Independent Thinking: Gain the confidence to challenge assumptions and think independently on important issues.
Periodo: Terzo trimestre
Modalità di valutazione: Giudizio di approvazione
Giudizio di valutazione: superato/non superato
Corso singolo
Questo insegnamento può essere seguito come corso singolo.
Programma e organizzazione didattica
Edizione unica
Periodo
Terzo trimestre
Programma
The class material is based on these texts:
Bowell, Tracy, and Gary Kemp. Critical thinking: A concise guide. Routledge, 2014. [Chapter 1-7]
Fosl, Peter S., and Julian Baggini. The philosopher's toolkit: a compendium of philosophical concepts and methods. John Wiley & Sons, 2020. [Chapters 1-3]
McKay, Thomas (2000), Reasons, Explanations and Decisions: Guidelines for Critical Thinking. Wadsworth. [Chapters 1-5, 8] (Hard to find: the material provided in the slides will be enough)
Sinnott-Armstrong, Walter. Think again: how to reason and argue. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2018. [Chapters 5-10]
Slides are part of the program.
Bowell, Tracy, and Gary Kemp. Critical thinking: A concise guide. Routledge, 2014. [Chapter 1-7]
Fosl, Peter S., and Julian Baggini. The philosopher's toolkit: a compendium of philosophical concepts and methods. John Wiley & Sons, 2020. [Chapters 1-3]
McKay, Thomas (2000), Reasons, Explanations and Decisions: Guidelines for Critical Thinking. Wadsworth. [Chapters 1-5, 8] (Hard to find: the material provided in the slides will be enough)
Sinnott-Armstrong, Walter. Think again: how to reason and argue. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2018. [Chapters 5-10]
Slides are part of the program.
Prerequisiti
No prior requirements are needed; on the contrary, the course provides a foundation for rigorous reasoning, as well as for the construction and refutation of arguments.
Metodi didattici
The course is organized in frontal lectures. Each lecture is divided into two parts: the first (longer) part presents a theoretical problem and illustrates methods and solutions to address it, while the second (shorter) part is devoted to exercises that allow students to apply the theory introduced during the session. At the end of each class, additional exercises are assigned for the following week and are corrected together at the beginning of the next class. Particular attention to the exercises is strongly recommended, as they are essential for preparing and successfully passing the final exam.
Materiale di riferimento
Bowell, Tracy, and Gary Kemp. Critical thinking: A concise guide. Routledge, 2014.
Fosl, Peter S., and Julian Baggini. The philosopher's toolkit: a compendium of philosophical concepts and methods. John Wiley & Sons, 2020.
Sinnott-Armstrong, Walter. Think again: how to reason and argue. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2018.
Fosl, Peter S., and Julian Baggini. The philosopher's toolkit: a compendium of philosophical concepts and methods. John Wiley & Sons, 2020.
Sinnott-Armstrong, Walter. Think again: how to reason and argue. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2018.
Modalità di verifica dell’apprendimento e criteri di valutazione
The final assessment consists of an in-person written exam with 5 or 6 exercises on any of the main topics of the course, similar to those practiced together in class and those done individually at home each week and subsequently reviewed in class. That's why extensive practice with the exercises typically ensures that one successfully passes the exam. Each exercise can be awarded up to 5 or 6 points, for a total of 30 points. The assessment uses a pass/fail system. The exam is considered passed when the total score reaches or exceeds 18 points.
M-FIL/02 - LOGICA E FILOSOFIA DELLA SCIENZA - CFU: 3
Laboratori: 20 ore
Docente:
Cepollaro Biancamaria