Smart Thinking.

 Identifying claims and arguments :

Arguments are claims backed by reasons that are supported by evidence. Argumentation is a process of two or more people making arguments,responding to one another not simply restating the same claims and reasons and modifying or defending their positions accordingly.

Claims are statements about what is true or good or about what should be done or believed.

Claims are potentially arguable.

The difference between an argument and an explanation :-

An argument is a justification that offers evidence in support of a conclusion-based claim. Its goal is to offer evidence that supports the conclusion's veracity.

Example :"Adam obviously stole the money, for three people saw him do it"

An explanation is a justification where the justification gives the cause of a fact that the conclusion represents.

Explanation could be integral part of arguments.

Example :"Adam stole the money because he needed it to buy food"

Use of Indicator words:

Indicator words are used to draw a logical connection between two seemingly unrelated claims. Indicators make it obvious how an argument is put together.

Indicators can be used to signal a premise or a conclusion, and they can appear in various parts of a sentence.

Premise Indicators : because, given that, seeing that, as, being that, since, for, assuming that, for the reason that,due to the fact that

Conclusion Indicators : therefore, thus, which implies that, so, hence, ergo, as a result, consequently, it follows that, we can conclude that

Influence of  attitude :

What is an attitude?

In psychology, attitude is a psychological construct that describes a person's mental and emotional make-up, their approach to something, or their personal viewpoint on it. Their mentality, perspective, and emotions make up their attitude.

Be willing to reflect on our own views and positions to scrutinise the way we think about the world. 

Attitudes which help for critical thinking :

• Analyzing
• Applying standards
• Discriminating
• Information seeking
• Logical reasoning
• Predicting
• Transforming knowledge

Asking Questions :

It's much more vital to clarify an argument than it is to just get the correct answer by asking the proper questions and asking them often. It is simpler for the other person to respond when someone asks the correct question to clarify things. According to psychologists, by asking "why" five times, a person can delve deeply into the issue at hand and discover the solution. People can also understand why others may not agree with their conclusions and hold different opinions.

Group work :

Discuss the benefits and limitations of the concept, 'Nearest school is the best school'.

Some of our group members had their primary education in the nearest school in that village. We have a theory that we want to support or refute with arguments. We split up into two smaller groups and used some justifications to support the conclusions we reached. The organization that proposed the idea claimed that it was advantageous because to cheaper student capacity, shorter trip distances, and reduced travel costs. The opposition team claimed that the lack of infrastructure, laboratories, and teaching facilities made it impractical. Our team has finally found a solution. The closest school will be the best school for a student if the Sri Lankan government can provide amenities for all schools in a similar manner.