CRITICAL THINKING AND LOGICAL FALLACIES

Talha Shakeel (I19-0043)

Muhammad Maesum Abbas (I19-040)

Mohammad Haider (I19-0106)

Zain Haider (I19-0120)

BBA-A

Submitted to Farah Naaz

 CONTENTS

1. Introduction 1
a. Critical Thinking 1
b. Logical fallacies 1
2. Critical Thinking 2
a. Importance 2
b. How to learn to think critically 2
c. Using critical thinking in everyday life 3
3. Logical fallacies 4
a. Comprehensive definition 4
b. Their use in everyday life 4
c. Common logical fallacies 4
d. Why logical Fallacies should be avoided 5
4. References 6
 Introduction
Critical thinking is the ability to think clearly and rationally about what to do or what to believe. It includes
the ability to engage in reflective and independent thinking.

A critical thinker is able to deduce consequences from what he knows, and he knows how to make use of
information to solve problems, and to seek relevant sources of information to inform himself.

Critical thinking should not be confused with being argumentative or being critical of other people.
Although critical thinking skills can be used in exposing fallacies and bad reasoning, critical thinking can
also play an important role in cooperative reasoning and constructive tasks. Critical thinking can help us
acquire knowledge, improve our theories, and strengthen arguments. We can use critical thinking to enhance
work processes and improve social institutions.

Logical fallacy is the use of invalid or otherwise faulty reasoning, or “wrong moves” in the construction of
an argument. It is a flaw or error in reasoning, it causes a conclusion to be invalid or weak. When we form
arguments or examine others’ arguments, we need to be aware of possible fallacies. The existence of a
fallacy in an inductive argument weakens the argument but does not invalidate it.

It is important to study logical fallacies to avoid them in the arguments made. Studying fallacies will prove
us with a foundation for evaluating and critiquing other arguments. Logical fallacies are like arguments in
which a conclusion doesn’t follow logically from what preceded it.

There are two main categories of logical errors: formal fallacies and informal fallacies.

The term 'formal' refers to the structure of an argument and the branch of logic that is most concerned with
structure, deductive reasoning. All formal fallacies are errors in deductive reasoning that render an argument
invalid.

The term 'informal' refers to the non-structural aspects of arguments, usually emphasized in inductive
reasoning. Most informal fallacies are errors of induction, but some of these fallacies can apply to deductive
arguments as well.
 Critical Thinking

Importance
Critical thinking is a skill that we need to learn because it is a skill that every employer seeks. The
global knowledge economy is driven by information and technology, one has to be able to deal with these
changes quickly and effectively. New economy places increasing demands on flexible intellectual skills. .
The new economy places increasing demands on flexible intellectual skills, and the ability to analyse
information and integrate diverse sources of knowledge in solving problems. Good critical thinking
promotes such thinking skills, and is very important in the fast-changing workplace.
Critical Thinking enhances language and presentation skills. Thinking clearly and systematically can
improve the way we express our ideas. In learning how to analyse the logical structure of texts, critical
thinking also improves comprehension abilities.
It also promotes creativity, to come up with a creative solution to a problem involves not just having
new ideas. It must also be the case that the new ideas being generated are useful and relevant to the task at
hand. Critical thinking plays a crucial role in evaluating new ideas, selecting the best ones and modifying
them if necessary.
Critical thinking is also important for self-reflection, In order to live a meaningful life and to
structure our lives accordingly, we need to justify and reflect on our values and decisions. Critical thinking
provides the tools for this process of self-evaluation.
It is something that is valued both in the university and in the professional situations after graduation,
and is part of lifelong learning. It is expected in higher education because it leads to developing of judgment,
evaluation and problem solving skills. It also enhances academic performance. Students with good critical
thinking skills are more independent, they can assess their learning styles, strengths and weaknesses.

How to learn to think critically

Critical thinking is hard, it is a complex activity that is built up out of other skills that can be acquired easily.
It requires a sustained effort.
When we are presented with a situation and get confused, basic questions should be asked like what
are we trying to prove? What are we overlooking? We should be aware of our mental processes. We could
evaluate our existing evidence for better understanding. We could present ourselves to a challenge and try to
perform best in that by thinking critically.
Using critical thinking in everyday life
Humans waste a lot of time. First of all, one should learn to utilise that time, and think about one’s strengths
and weaknesses. We should ask ourselves questions like what was the best think I did today? Did I learn
anything new?
During beginning of the day, we should plan to workout a problem in free time. Figure out the logic
of the problem, actions that could be taken, finding out information needed by analysing and evaluating the
problem, figure out options for action, adopt a strategic approach thus, act.
We could also record an event, describe the situation, what was our response, then analyze the
situation and assess what was learned and what could have been done.
We could also reshape our character, by developing a new trait, by owning what happens and making
a better self next time. We could redefine the perspective in which we see things, act on it and how we feel
about it.
We could get in touch with our emotions, if we are feeling something, we should think hat is causing
this and what could I do about it. We should closely analyse the behavior that is encouraged and
discouraged.
 Logical fallacies
Comprehensive definition
Logical fallacies are errors of reasoning specific ways in which arguments fall apart due to faulty connection
making. A logical fallacy is a false statement that weakens an argument by distorting an issue, drawing false
conclusions, misusing evidence, or misusing language. Logical fallacies are unsubstantiated assertions that
are often delivered with a conviction that makes them sound as though they are proven facts. Whatever their
origins, fallacies can take on a special life of their own when they are popularized in the media and become
part of a national credo.

Their use in everyday life

While logical fallacies may be used intentionally in certain forms of persuasive writing like in political
speeches aimed at misleading an audience, fallacies tend to undermine the credibility of objective scholarly
writing. Knowledge of how successful arguments are structured, then as well as of the different ways they
may fall apart is a useful tool for both academic reading and writing. If you are writing an annotated
bibliography or literature review, for instance, being able to recognize logical flaws in others‘ arguments
may enable you to critique the validity of claims, research results, or even theories in a particular text. Along
the same lines, if you are putting together your own argumentative paper understanding argument structure
and fallacies will help you avoid errors of reasoning in your own work.

Common logical Fallacies

Ad Hominen
This occurs when an author attacks his opponent instead of his opponent’s argument.
Ad Populum
Ad Populum attempts to prove an argument as correct simply because many people believe it to be
so.
Appeal to Authority
In this fallacious argument, the author claims his argument is right because someone famous or
powerful supports it.
Begging the Question
This happens when the author’s premise and conclusion say the same thing.
False Dichotomy
This fallacy rests on the assumption that there are only two possible solutions, so disproving one
solution means that other solution should be utilized. It ignores other alternative solutions.
Hasty Generalization
Hasty Generalization occurs when the proponent uses too small of a sample size to support a
sweeping generalization
Post Hoc/ False Cause
This fallacy assumes that correlation equals causation or, in other words, if one event predicts
another event it must have also caused the event.
Missing the point
In Missing the Point, the premise of the argument supports a specific conclusion but not the one the
author draws.
Spotlight Fallacy
This occurs when the author assumes that the cases that receive the most publicity are the most
common cases.
Straw Man
In this fallacy, the author puts forth one of his opponent’s weaker, less central arguments forward
and destroys it, while acting like this argument is the crux of the issue.

Why logical fallacies should be avoided

Logical fallacies are bad because they are mistakes in reasoning. When you are trying to discover the truth,
you want to avoid bad logic entirely, and logical fallacies are bad logic, they cloud the reasoning and
decision-making skill of the one committing the fallacy and the audience. The fallacy may seem to make the
argument clear and easy but in reality all it does is distract the audience from the actual point.
A logical fallacy is a paradox, a phrase that sounds contradictory at first but upon reflection makes
perfect sense. The contradiction occurs because “logical” sounds positive, and “fallacy” sounds negative.
Overall, however, the fallacy is negative; the user has simply used a logical form to make the argument
appear more reasonable.
Some people resort to logical fallacies in their thinking or their writing because these people are so
personally involved in an issue that they’re not thinking clearly or because they haven’t taken the time to dig
up any reliable evidence. Numerous logical fallacies exist, and advertisers often use them to persuade you to
buy a particular product or service. As a serious writer, though, we shouldn’t use logical fallacies because
most readers will see through our flimsy arguments and will, as a result, refuse to take your writing seriously.

Thus, There are three good reasons to avoid logical fallacies in your writing. First, logical fallacies are
wrong and, simply put, dishonest if you use them knowingly. Second, they take away from the strength of
your argument. Finally, the use of logical fallacies can make your readers feel that you do not consider them
to be very intelligent.
References
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