PHL-111 is an introduction to critical thinking and reasoning, and demonstrates philosophy's practical value for effectively solving problems, communicating ideas, achieving goals, and uncovering truth. The course explores fundamental questions such as 'What makes a good argument?' and 'Are some beliefs better than others?' Students challenge assumptions, evaluate arguments from different perspectives, and articulate positions on contemporary issues. The course has no prerequisites.
Philosophy framed by its practical value, not abstract theory
The course explicitly demonstrates philosophy's practical value for solving problems and communicating ideas, positioning critical thinking as a genuinely useful life skill rather than abstract academic theory disconnected from everyday reasoning.
Evaluating arguments from genuinely different perspectives
PHL-111 has students evaluate arguments from different perspectives specifically, building the genuine intellectual flexibility to fairly assess a position before agreeing or disagreeing with it.
Key topics in PHL111
- What makes a good argument
- Evaluating the strength of beliefs
- Challenging assumptions
- Evaluating arguments from multiple perspectives
- Articulating positions on contemporary issues
- Practical applications of critical thinking
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Worked example: evaluating an argument's strength, not just its conclusion
- Conclusion-only approach: Agreeing or disagreeing with an argument based only on whether the conclusion matches existing beliefs
- PHL-111's approach: Evaluating whether the argument's premises genuinely support its conclusion, regardless of whether that conclusion is already believed
- Lesson: PHL-111 teaches that genuine critical thinking evaluates an argument's logical structure, not just whether its conclusion is agreeable
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Frequently asked questions
Critical thinking skills — evaluating arguments, challenging assumptions, articulating positions — have genuine everyday value for solving real problems and communicating effectively, and framing the course around this practical value helps students see philosophy as a genuinely useful discipline rather than an abstract academic exercise disconnected from real life. PHL-111 uses this framing because connecting critical thinking to practical application improves both engagement and the durability of what students learn.
Genuinely fair evaluation of any argument requires first understanding it from the perspective of someone who holds that position, not just assessing it through the lens of one's own existing views — otherwise a student risks dismissing a genuinely strong argument simply because its conclusion is unfamiliar or uncomfortable. PHL-111 requires this multi-perspective evaluation because it builds the intellectual honesty and flexibility that genuine critical thinking demands, beyond simply constructing one's own arguments persuasively.