Monthly Subscription Starting at AED 99 + VAT

Think Again IV: How to Avoid Fallacies
  • Level Foundation
  • Duration 18 hours
  • Course by Duke University
  • Offered by

About

We encounter fallacies almost everywhere we look. Politicians, salespeople, and children commonly use fallacies in order to get you to think whatever they want you to think. It’s important to learn to recognize fallacies so that you can avoid being fooled by them. It’s also important to learn about fallacies so that you avoid making fallacious arguments yourself. This course will show you how to identify and avoid many of the fallacies that lead people astray. In this course, you will learn about fallacies. Fallacies are arguments that suffer from one or more common but avoidable defects: equivocation, circularity, vagueness, etc. It’s important to learn about fallacies so that you can recognize them when you see them, and not be fooled by them. It’s also important to learn about fallacies so that you avoid making fallacious arguments yourself. Suggested Readings Students who want more detailed explanations or additional exercises or who want to explore these topics in more depth should consult Understanding Arguments: An Introduction to Informal Logic, Ninth Edition, Concise, Chapters 13-17, by Walter Sinnott-Armstrong and Robert Fogelin. Course Format Each week will be divided into multiple video segments that can be viewed separately or in groups. There will be short ungraded quizzes after each segment (to check comprehension) and a longer graded quiz at the end of the course.

Modules

Introduction

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
Show info about module content

1 Videos

  • Introduction to the Specialization

1 Readings

  • Course Logistics (Start Here)

Fallacies and Paradoxes of Vagueness

    • 3 Videos
    • 1 Discussion
    • 2 Assignment
Show info about module content

2 Assignment

  • Introduction to Fallacies
  • Vagueness

1 Discussions

  • Share Your Thoughts: Vagueness

3 Videos

  • Introduction to Fallacies
  • Argument from the Heap
  • Vagueness

Slippery Slopes

    • 3 Videos
    • 2 Discussion
    • 3 Assignment
Show info about module content

3 Assignment

  • Slippery Slopes
  • Fairness Slippery Slopes
  • Causal Slippery Slopes

2 Discussions

  • Share Your Thoughts: Slippery Slopes
  • Share Your Thoughts: Out of the Box Argument

3 Videos

  • Conceptual Slippery Slopes
  • Fairness Slippery Slopes
  • Causal Slippery Slopes

Ambiguity

    • 3 Videos
    • 3 Discussion
    • 2 Assignment
Show info about module content

2 Assignment

  • Semantic and Syntactic Ambiguity
  • Fallacies of Equivocation

3 Discussions

  • Share Your Thoughts: Proper Names Ambiguous?
  • Share Your Thoughts: What's the Difference?
  • Share Your Thoughts: Equivocation

3 Videos

  • Ambiguity
  • Semantic and Syntactic Ambiguity
  • Fallacies of Equivocation

Ad Hominem

    • 5 Videos
    • 2 Discussion
    • 2 Assignment
Show info about module content

2 Assignment

  • Dismissers
  • Deniers

2 Discussions

  • Share Your Thoughts: Ad Hominem
  • Share Your Thoughts: Your Examples

5 Videos

  • Fallacies of Relevance and Vacuity
  • Fallacies of Relevance: Ad Hominem
  • Silencers
  • Dismissers
  • Deniers

Appeals to Authority

    • 5 Videos
    • 2 Discussion
    • 3 Assignment
Show info about module content

3 Assignment

  • Supporters
  • Affirmers
  • Appeals to Popular Opinion

2 Discussions

  • Share Your Thoughts: Appeals to Authority
  • Share Your Thoughts: Other Authorities

5 Videos

  • Appeals to Authority
  • Amplifiers
  • Supporters
  • Affirmers
  • Appeals to Popular Opinion

Vacuity

    • 3 Videos
    • 2 Discussion
    • 3 Assignment
Show info about module content

3 Assignment

  • Fallacies of Vacuity
  • Circularity and Begging the Question
  • Self-Sealers

2 Discussions

  • Share Your Thoughts: Vacuity
  • Share Your Thoughts: What's Wrong with the Argument?

3 Videos

  • Fallacies of Vacuity
  • Circularity and Begging the Question
  • Self-Sealers

Refutation

    • 5 Videos
    • 4 Discussion
    • 3 Assignment
Show info about module content

3 Assignment

  • Refutation by Parallel Reasoning
  • Reductio Ad Absurdum
  • Counterexamples

4 Discussions

  • Share Your Thoughts: Refutation by Parallel Reasoning
  • Share Your Thoughts: Share Your Parallel Reasoning Example
  • Share Your Thoughts: Reductio Ad Absurdum
  • Share Your Thoughts: Share Your Reductio Ad Absurdum Examples

5 Videos

  • Refutation
  • Refutation by Parallel Reasoning
  • False Dichotomy
  • Reductio Ad Absurdum
  • Counterexamples

The Pitfalls of Refutation

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Attacking a Straw Man

1 Videos

  • Attacking a Straw Man

The Great Shave

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Discussion
Show info about module content

1 Discussions

  • Share Your Thoughts: Should Walter Shave His Head?

1 Videos

  • Why Walter Should Shave His Head

Final Exam

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Final Exam

1 Videos

  • The Great Shave

Optional Final Project

    • 1 PeerReview
Show info about module content

1 Peer Review

  • Make your own argument!

Auto Summary

Discover the art of critical thinking with "Think Again IV: How to Avoid Fallacies." This foundational Health & Fitness course, taught by expert instructors, delves into recognizing and avoiding common fallacies in arguments. Over 1080 minutes of engaging video segments, learners will tackle topics like equivocation, circularity, and vagueness, reinforced by quizzes. Perfect for anyone aiming to sharpen their analytical skills, the course offers Starter and Professional subscription options. Enhance your understanding and avoid being misled by mastering the principles of informal logic.

Dr. Walter Sinnott-Armstrong
Instructors

Dr. Walter Sinnott-Armstrong

Dr. Ram Neta
Instructors

Dr. Ram Neta