Philosophy 6: Logic in Practice   

Pierce College

Department of History, Philosophy, & Sociology

Group Exercise for Chapter 3 § 1 of Van Cleave's 2016 Introduction to Logic and Critical Thinking

https://open.umn.edu/opentextbooks/BookDetail.aspx?bookId=457

(Notes on the importance of group exercises.) 

Group Work Summary: Each group will answer two questions from Exercise 22, and then each group will craft four problematic generalizations. 

Step 1 (ten minutes): Individually, identify "[w]hat kinds of problems, if any, [are found in your group's] statistical generalizations."  "If there is a problem with the generalization, specify which of the two conditions (adequate sample size, non-biased sample) are not met. Some generalizations may have multiple problems. If so, specify all of the problems you see with the generalization." 

Step 2 (ten minutes): Individually, make up one generalization where the sample size is obviously too small, and a different generalization where the sample is obviously biased. 

Step 3 (ten minutes):  In groups, compare your answers to Exercise 22.  Raise your hand once your group has agreed on the correct answers to Exercise 22. 

Step 4 (ten minutes):  In groups, compare your obviously wrong generalizations. 

Step 5 (ten minutes):  In groups, make up one generalization where the sample size is not obviously too small. 

Step 6 (ten minutes):  In groups, make up one generalization where the sample size is not obviously biased. 

Step 7 (ten minutes):  Each group presents their group's non-obvious generalizations.