Generalizing

There were many interesting concepts in chapter 14. I think there are many useful tools in generalizing that can be used in reasoning. Generalizations are arguments. In the book, "Critical Thinking" by Richard L. Epstein, he discusses whether generalization in an argument is good. As Epstein defines, generalizing is if we conclude about a group, the population, from a claim about some part of it, the sample. Epstein explains that sometimes the general claim is the conclusion is called generalization. To see whether it is an argument and if the generalization is good, it should consist of a strong argument with plausible premises. There are three premises needed for a good generalization. The three premises consist of having the sample representative, the sample big enough and the sample studied well. I think that all of the previous chapters we have learned about all applies to generalizing arguments. It helps evaluate and analyze arguments.

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Favorites

There are many favorites about the class. I like about our Critical thinking and decision making class. My first favorite thing about the class was the fact that I was able to learn concepts and use it towards other classes. It improved my communication skills and reasoning which helped me a lot in school, at home and in a professional environment. Having a bad first online experience, our online class has changed my perspective on online classes. I like how quick our professor emailed back with replies. My least favorite things about the class was how it was a bit difficult to balance out group schedule meetings with everyone having such different availability times. I also did not like how on the online test, we were unable to go back and see which answers we got incorrect to learn from our mistakes. Another least favorite thing about the class was the 12 hour gap for posting blogs. I think the class can improve by allowing students to blog freely. Overall, the class was great and very effective!

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What I learned in Comm 41

I was a bit skeptical about what I would learn enrolling in Communication, Critical Thinking and Decision Making, because I was unsure if what I learn was going to be useful, but by the end of the semester, I not only learned many new concepts, but also improved many skills as well. I learned how to improve critical thinking by learning how to identify if an argument is valid, strong, invalid, bad, if it needed to be repaired and how the premise play a important role in an argument. I also learned the different kinds of fallacies in an argument and how it may effect an argument. One section I learned about most was evaluating premises. An argument must pass to be good if there is good reason to believe the premises, the premises are plausible than the conclusion and if the argument is strong or valid. Critical thinking and decision making helped me improved communication skills, critical thinking and reasoning and are useful tools I can use towards my major.

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