Problem-Solving Strategies

Study Notes

Definition: The process of identifying and resolving problems through critical thinking and decision-making.
Key components:
- Problem definition: Clearly defining the problem to be solved.
- Goal setting: Establishing a clear goal or objective.
- Generation of alternatives: Brainstorming potential solutions.
- Evaluation and selection: Assessing and choosing the best solution.
- Implementation: Putting the chosen solution into action.
Types of problem-solving:
- Well-defined problems: Clear goals and defined solutions.
- Ill-defined problems: Unclear goals and unclear solutions.
- Dynamic problems: Problems that change over time.

Definition: The process of constructing and presenting arguments to support a claim or position.
Key components:
- Premises: Statements that provide evidence or support for the claim.
- Inferences: Conclusions drawn from the premises.
- Claim: The main argument or position being argued.
- Warrant: The underlying assumption or principle that connects the premises to the claim.
Types of arguments:
- Deductive: Arguments that guarantee the truth of the conclusion if the premises are true.
- Inductive: Arguments that provide strong evidence for the conclusion, but do not guarantee its truth.
- Abductive: Arguments that provide the most plausible explanation for the conclusion.

Definition: Errors in reasoning that can lead to invalid or misleading conclusions.
Types of logical fallacies:
- Formal fallacies:
  - Errors in the logical structure of an argument.
  - Examples: Ad hominem, affirming the consequent, denying the antecedent.
- Informal fallacies:
  - Errors in the content or premises of an argument.
  - Examples: Appeal to authority, false dilemma, straw man.
Common logical fallacies:
- Ad hominem: Attacking the person rather than the argument.
- Appeal to ignorance: Assuming something is true because it has not been proven false.
- False dilemma: Presenting only two options when there are more.
- Slippery slope: Assuming that one event will inevitably lead to a series of events.
- Straw man: Misrepresenting or exaggerating an opponent's argument.

Problem-solving involves identifying and resolving problems through critical thinking and decision-making.
The process consists of five key components: problem definition, goal setting, generation of alternatives, evaluation and selection, and implementation.
There are three types of problem-solving: well-defined problems with clear goals and defined solutions, ill-defined problems with unclear goals and unclear solutions, and dynamic problems that change over time.

Argumentation is the process of constructing and presenting arguments to support a claim or position.
A well-structured argument consists of four key components: premises, inferences, claim, and warrant.
There are three types of arguments: deductive arguments that guarantee the truth of the conclusion, inductive arguments that provide strong evidence, and abductive arguments that provide the most plausible explanation.

Logical fallacies are errors in reasoning that can lead to invalid or misleading conclusions.
There are two types of logical fallacies: formal fallacies that involve errors in the logical structure of an argument, and informal fallacies that involve errors in the content or premises.
Common logical fallacies include:
- Ad hominem: attacking the person rather than the argument.
- Appeal to ignorance: assuming something is true because it has not been proven false.
- False dilemma: presenting only two options when there are more.
- Slippery slope: assuming that one event will inevitably lead to a series of events.
- Straw man: misrepresenting or exaggerating an opponent's argument.