Thinking and Innovation

• • • Argument formalisation
  • • Argument mapping
  • • Cognitive biases
  • • Cognitive virtues
  • • Fallacies
  • • Logical reasoning
  • • Probabilistic reasoning

Others

Past La Trobe University students who have previously completed PHI1CRT Critical Thinking are ineligible to enrol in this subject.

Additional requirements

No additional requirements

Thinking and reasoning are essential components of human life. But much of our thinking and reasoning is biased, distorted, and uninformed. This subject trains you to reason well, to think clearly and independently, and also to engage fairly with others in discussions and debates. You will develop useful skills in presenting, analysing and evaluating different types of arguments. You will learn to apply these skills to real cases from popular culture, current affairs, and philosophy. You will also learn to use diagrams and symbols to assist higher and more abstract levels of logical reasoning and systematic thinking. Because the ability to think and to argue clearly and fairly is central not just to philosophy but to university studies in general, many students find the experience gained in this subject immensely valuable, both within the university and later in employment whatever their subsequent areas of specialization.

• Two Short Essays (equivalent to 1000 words each) (50%)
• Weekly Quizzes (equivalent to 2000 words) (50%)

Current study term: 17 Jul 22 to 14 Oct 22