Critical Thinking Skills - Developing Effective Analysis and Argument(2)

This chapter introduces many of the most common types of flawed reasoning. Such flawed reasoning may
be a deliberate ploy on the part of an author who intends to deceive the audience. However, flawed
reasoning is often the result of insufficiently rigorous critical thinking: many people are not aware of errors
in their reasoning.
One group of flaws covered by the chapter relates to the concept of causality. It is a common mistake to
assume that if two things appear to be connected in some way, the nature of that connection is one of
cause and effect. However, the items may be linked by a third item, a distant relationship, through
correlated trends, or simply by coincidence.
A second set of flaws relates to statements or arguments that do not meet the necessary and sufficient
conditions to establish proof. If necessary and sufficient conditions are not met, an alternative conclusion
could be drawn so the argument is not yet proved.
The third set of flaws is concerned with accuracy and validity in the way language is used to establish an
argument. There are many ways that the language used to communicate the argument can distort or
conceal. Some examples of this covered within the chapter are: making false analogies, attempting to
draw the reader into collusion with the author, using language to conceal gaps in the reasoning, using
emotive language with the aim of distorting the audience's response, and misrepresenting opponents'
views.
Being able to recognise flaws in an argument is a useful skill. It helps you to identify weak points in other
people's arguments and to pinpoint areas for you to investigate more closely so you can make more
informed decisions. If you are evaluating an argument within your writing, or as part of a debate, knowing
the flaws in the opponent's arguments helps you to formulate better counter arguments. If you are able to
recognise such flaws in your own arguments, you are in a better position to put forward more convincing
arguments in their place.
Information on the sources
For more about mastedons: Postgate, J. (1994) The Outer Reaches of Life (Cambridge: Cambridge
University Press).
For more about 'out-groups': Tajfel, H. (1981) Human Grorrps and Social Categories (Cambridge:
Cambridge University Press).
O Stella Cottrell (2005), Critical Thiilkir~ Skills,
Palgrave Macmillan Ltd
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