copied: From the practical guide to critical thinking...as we are reading the news... "A cogent argument is one that is complete, in that it presents all relevant reasoning (evidence), not just evidence that supports the argument. Arguments that omit relevant evidence can appear to be stronger than they really are. Thus, the final step to evaluating arguments is attempting to determine if important evidence has been omitted or suppressed. Sometimes this happens unintentionally by carelessness or ignorance, but too often it is an intentional act. Since it is usually unproductive to confront arguers and ask them to disclose their omissions, the critical thinker’s best course of action is usually to seek opposing arguments on the subject, which could hopefully reveal such omissions. It is a rare arguer who actively seeks out opposing views and treats them seriously, yet that is precisely what a critical thinker must do when developing his or her own arguments. "
Posted on: Sun, 18 Aug 2013 05:34:45 +0000