Intro Lecture Links

Syllabus

Intro

Google Challenge (a) 

Google Challenge (b) competing claims (vaccines, Obamacare, effect of gun laws on crime rates, acupuncture)

1. Shermer and Principles of Skepticism:  1) Self-Deception 2) Absolute vs Chance/Control  3) Confirmation Bias  4) Probabilities 5) Theory/Deductive Hypothesis 6) Pareidolia and Hard-wiring

2.  Why is Critical Thinking Important?  Belief determines action.  Action determines the nature and quality of your life and impacts and shape your community.  False or harmful beliefs = harmful actions, etc...

What's The Harm?
Jenny McCarthy

3.  Challenging me is fine but if you want a real challenge, challenge your own beliefs.  Really, I'm just here to guide you but it's also OK to question the directions sometimes.

4.  Dunning Kruger Effect and Grading.
   a)  Women and Minorities and Science
   b)  Women and Minorities and Math

Lesson:  Argument Components
1.  Why is this skill important?
2.  Lesson and Examples
3.  Exercises