Critical Thinking in real life

Which of the following is an example of a logical fallacy?

• A politician argues that because they have the most Twitter followers, they must be the best candidate.

• A scientist presents data that supports their hypothesis, and concludes that their hypothesis is likely true.

• A student argues that they should get an A on their paper because they worked really hard on it.

• A doctor prescribes a medication to a patient based on a thorough analysis of their symptoms.

Answer explanation

A politician argues that because they have the most Twitter followers, they must be the best candidate. This is an example of a logical fallacy called the "bandwagon fallacy," which assumes that something is true or good simply because many people believe or do it.

Which of the following statements is a strong argument?

• "I like chocolate ice cream, so everyone should like chocolate ice cream."

• "Studies have shown that exercise has numerous health benefits, including reducing the risk of heart disease and improving mental health."

• "I don't like spicy food, so nobody should like spicy food."

• "I believe in UFOs because I once saw a strange light in the sky."

Answer explanation

"Studies have shown that exercise has numerous health benefits, including reducing the risk of heart disease and improving mental health." This is a strong argument because it presents evidence to support its claim.

Which of the following is an example of confirmation bias?

• A scientist designs an experiment to test their hypothesis and is open to the possibility that the results may not support their hypothesis.

• A person only reads news articles that confirm their political beliefs and ignores articles that challenge their beliefs.

• A student considers multiple sources when writing a research paper, even those that contradict their thesis.

• A doctor considers multiple treatment options and weighs the pros and cons of each before making a decision.

Answer explanation

A person only reads news articles that confirm their political beliefs and ignores articles that challenge their beliefs. This is an example of confirmation bias, which is the tendency to seek out information that confirms one's preexisting beliefs and ignore information that contradicts those beliefs.

Which of the following is an example of a false dichotomy?

• "You're either with us or against us."

• "I prefer cats to dogs, but both can make great pets."

• "Either you love broccoli, or you hate it."

• "I can either go to the party or stay home and study."

Answer explanation

"You're either with us or against us." This is an example of a false dichotomy, which presents only two options and assumes that they are the only possible options.

What is the most important factor to consider when evaluating the credibility of a source?

• The author's credentials.

• The publication date.

• The length of the article.

• The font used in the article.

Answer explanation

The author's credentials.

Explanation: While the other factors listed may be important, the author's credentials are typically the most important factor to consider when evaluating the credibility of a source. You want to know that the person who wrote the article or report has the necessary expertise and qualifications to speak authoritatively on the topic.

A company's profits have been declining steadily over the past year. What are some possible reasons for this decline, and what evidence would you need to support these hypotheses?

Answer explanation

Increased competition from other companies in the industry.

Changes in consumer preferences or economic conditions.

Poor management decisions or ineffective strategies.

To support these hypotheses, you would need to gather data such as market research, financial reports, and interviews with company executives.

A friend tells you that they heard a conspiracy theory about a recent news event. What questions would you ask to evaluate the credibility of this theory?

Answer explanation

What evidence supports this theory, and where did it come from?

Are there any credible sources or experts who have confirmed this theory?

Are there any alternative explanations or counterarguments that should be considered?

Is the theory consistent with known facts and established scientific principles?

Are there any biases or motivations that might be influencing the spread of this theory?

A company is considering implementing a new policy that would require employees to work longer hours. What are some potential pros and cons of this policy, and how would you go about evaluating whether or not it would be a good decision for the company?

Answer explanation

Pros: Increased productivity, faster completion of projects, potential for increased profits.

Cons: Employee burnout, decreased morale, potential for decreased quality of work, increased costs for overtime pay.

To evaluate whether or not this policy would be a good decision, you would need to consider factors such as the company's goals, the impact on employee well-being and satisfaction, the potential financial benefits and costs, and the feasibility of implementing the policy.

A study finds a correlation between people who eat more chocolate and higher scores on a cognitive test. Does this mean that eating more chocolate makes you smarter? Why or why not?

Answer explanation

No, correlation does not necessarily imply causation. There may be other factors that contribute to both chocolate consumption and cognitive abilities, such as socioeconomic status or genetics.

To establish causation, a controlled experiment would be necessary where participants are randomly assigned to consume different amounts of chocolate and their cognitive abilities are measured over time.

You are presented with two options for solving a problem at work. One option is more expensive but will likely result in better long-term outcomes, while the other is cheaper but has a higher chance of failure. How would you go about deciding which option to choose? What factors would you consider?

Answer explanation

You would need to consider the potential risks and benefits of each option, the likelihood of success, and the impact on the company's goals and resources.

Factors to consider might include the company's financial situation, the urgency of the problem, the potential long-term benefits of the more expensive option, the feasibility of implementing each option, and the potential consequences of failure. A cost-benefit analysis could be helpful in making a decision.