Logic and Reasoning

Reasoning

Logic

• Study of reasoning and argumentation
• Concerned with the principles and methods of distinguishing valid from invalid arguments
• Involves the use of logical operators (e.g. and, or, not) to express relationships between statements
• Types of logic:
  • Propositional logic: Deals with statements that can be either true or false
  • Predicate logic: Deals with statements about objects and their properties
  • Inductive logic: Concerned with making probabilistic conclusions based on data

Critical Thinking

• Objective analysis and evaluation of information to form a judgment
• Involves identifying biases, assumptions, and flaws in reasoning
• Critical thinking skills:
  • Analyzing information
  • Identifying patterns and relationships
  • Evaluating evidence
  • Avoiding emotional appeals
  • Considering alternative perspectives

Problem-Solving

• Process of identifying, analyzing, and resolving a problem
• Steps in problem-solving:
  1. Define the problem
  2. Identify possible solutions
  3. Evaluate solutions
  4. Choose a solution
  5. Implement and monitor the solution
• Types of problem-solving strategies:
  • Algorithmic: Step-by-step procedure to solve a problem
  • Heuristic: Rule-of-thumb or mental shortcut to solve a problem
  • Analogical: Solving a problem by finding an analogy to a similar problem

Decision Making

• Process of selecting a course of action from available options
• Involves weighing the potential consequences of each option
• Decision-making models:
  • Rational model: Based on complete information and objective evaluation
  • Bounded rationality: Based on limited information and cognitive biases
  • Intuitive model: Based on instinct and experience
• Biases in decision making:
  • Confirmation bias: Tendency to seek out information that confirms existing beliefs
  • Anchoring bias: Tendency to rely too heavily on the first piece of information
  • Sunk cost fallacy: Tendency to continue investing in a decision because of resources already committed

Reasoning

• Logic is the study of reasoning and argumentation, focusing on distinguishing valid from invalid arguments
• It involves using logical operators (e.g., and, or, not) to express relationships between statements

Types of Logic

• Propositional logic: deals with statements that can be either true or false
• Predicate logic: deals with statements about objects and their properties
• Inductive logic: concerned with making probabilistic conclusions based on data

Critical Thinking

• Critical thinking is objective analysis and evaluation of information to form a judgment
• It involves identifying biases, assumptions, and flaws in reasoning

Critical Thinking Skills

• Analyzing information
• Identifying patterns and relationships
• Evaluating evidence
• Avoiding emotional appeals
• Considering alternative perspectives

Problem-Solving

• Problem-solving is a process that involves identifying, analyzing, and resolving a problem

Steps in Problem-Solving

• Define the problem
• Identify possible solutions
• Evaluate solutions
• Choose a solution
• Implement and monitor the solution

Types of Problem-Solving Strategies

• Algorithmic: step-by-step procedure to solve a problem
• Heuristic: rule-of-thumb or mental shortcut to solve a problem
• Analogical: solving a problem by finding an analogy to a similar problem

Decision Making

• Decision making is the process of selecting a course of action from available options
• It involves weighing the potential consequences of each option

Decision-Making Models

• Rational model: based on complete information and objective evaluation
• Bounded rationality: based on limited information and cognitive biases
• Intuitive model: based on instinct and experience

Biases in Decision Making

• Confirmation bias: tendency to seek out information that confirms existing beliefs
• Anchoring bias: tendency to rely too heavily on the first piece of information
• Sunk cost fallacy: tendency to continue investing in a decision because of resources already committed