Critical Thinking

the system of rules governing language for the purpose of argumentation

The medium of epistemological expression for the human being

A set of propositions, one of which (the conclusion/thesis) follows necessarily from the other(s)(premise(s)); a syllogism is two premises with a conclusion—it has only three terms: the major term is the predicate of the conclusion, the minor term is the subject of the conclusion, and the middle term is the term that links the subject and predicate of the conclusion and appears in both premises, but never in the conclusion

A statement (preferably with a simple subject, simple (active) verb, and a simple predicate), that is either true or false and objectively verifiable (i.e., verifiable by some objective criterion).

The statement that follows from the other propositions; the conclusion or the main point, in which the subject and predicate are linked

A branch of philosophy, along with metaphysics and ethics, that studies human knowledge and human learning

The ability to demonstrate one’s experience on one of two levels

(unconscious) impressions

Ideas formed (consciously, but more often unconsciously) from impressions and reflected in behavior

A discursive process whereby one’s knowledge is increased through dialogue; the creation of new categories of the mind (formulation of ideas)

That which is after/beyond the physical realm—the realm of ideas; a branch of philosophy in which one reasons/thinks about the first principles of being (ultimate ideas)

Reflecting on one’s ideas or evaluating one’s knowledge

Consciously controlling the process of ratiocination

The process of abstracting universals from particular experience

The system of rules governing language for the purpose of argumentation