Tag Archives: phi 105 critical thinking essay

PHI 105 Grand Canyon All Week Discussions PHI105  

PHI 105 Grand Canyon Week 1 Discussion 1

What were your thoughts and expectations when you first heard that you needed to take a Critical Thinking course? How do you think you can excel in this class?

PHI 105 Grand Canyon Week 1 Discussion 2

Based on your definition of critical thinking, what is the value of critical thinking to you personally, academically, or professionally?

PHI 105 Grand Canyon Week 2 Discussion 1

Do you believe the statement “perception is reality”? Why or why not?

PHI 105 Grand Canyon Week 2 Discussion 2

Discuss a time when the results of an interaction turned out differently than you initially perceived it would. Why do you think it was different?

PHI 105 Grand Canyon Week 3 Discussion 1

List 3-5 of the most significant decisions you have made in your lifetime. To what degree did your emotions play a role in those decisions?

PHI 105 Grand Canyon Week 3 Discussion 2

What is “emotional intelligence” (EQ)? How does it compare to IQ? How can it help you? Is one more valuable than the other?

PHI 105 Grand Canyon Week 4 Discussion 1

Review a social media blog from the following list and examine it for fallacious reasoning. Identify at least two examples of fallacies within the selected blog. Record the fallacious quotes from the blog, and explain what type of fallacy you believe they are. For follow-up discussion, decide whether or not you agree or disagree with your classmates and explain why.

PHI 105 Grand Canyon Week 4 Discussion 2

Describe a situation where you recently made a generalization in a statement on something. In hindsight, how could you have reacted differently so that your statement would have been more valid?

PHI 105 Grand Canyon Week 5 Discussion 1

What is the relationship between thinking and language?

PHI 105 Grand Canyon Week 5 Discussion 2

What are some words that have had a traditional meaning but have been redefined by more recent culture? Think in terms of your parents’ language and how it changed to your generation, computer language’s impact on society or maybe how your kids talk compared to your use of language.

PHI 105 Grand Canyon Week 6 Discussion 1

What is the difference between persuasion and manipulation? Describe a time when you have encountered or used one or both of these.

PHI 105 Grand Canyon Week 6 Discussion 2

Think of a metaphor for something that is commonly used in everyday speech. (ex. a metaphor for losing your job, is being “pink slipped.”) You may not post the same metaphor as someone else. Describe what could happen if someone doesn’t use critical thinking when encountering that metaphor. How would using critical thinking make this a better situation for the individual?

PHI 105 Grand Canyon Week 7 Discussion 1

Grand Canyon University’s slogan is “Find Your Purpose.” How have you used, or could you use critical thinking in finding your purpose?

PHI 105 Grand Canyon Week 7 Discussion 2

What do you think it means to use ethics in your thinking?

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PHI 105 Grand Canyon Week 2 Discussion 1

Do you believe the statement “perception is reality”? Why or why not?

PHI 105 Grand Canyon Week 2 Discussion 2

Discuss a time when the results of an interaction turned out differently than you initially perceived it would. Why do you think it was different?

PHI 105 Grand Canyon Week 2 Assignment 1

Perception Power Point

Details:

Imagine you are an expert on critical thinking. A local high school wants you to present your knowledge to its seniors and asks that you create a PowerPoint presentation to specifically explain perception and critical thinking.

1- Create a PowerPoint presentation that explains the concepts of perception and critical thinking to high school seniors. In your explanation, address the following:

How all five senses impact perception?

The role of perception in critical thinking.

For directions on how to create a PowerPoint presentation, refer to the “How to Create a PowerPoint Presentation Resource.”

Your PowerPoint presentation should include the following:

1. 8 slides (1 title slide, 6 content slides, and 1 reference slide).

2. Put key points in bullets. The bullets are what the audience would see during a presentation. Remember not to overcrowd each slide.

3. Elaborate on the bullet points in the slide notes for all 6 content slides. The slide notes section is where the speaker documents what he/she would say during the presentation.

While GCU style format is not required for the body of this assignment, solid academic writing is expected and in-text citations and references should be presented using GCU documentation guidelines, which can be found in the GCU Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.

This assignment uses a grading rubric that can be viewed at the assignment’s drop box. Instructors will be using the rubric to grade the assignment; therefore, students should review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the assignment criteria and expectations for successful completion of the assignment.

PHI 105 Grand Canyon Week 2 Assignment 2

Persuasive Essay: Brainstorm Worksheet

Details:

“Review “How Should I Brainstorm?” in the media piece “The Writing Process.” The media piece can be found in resources, course materials. Click on the add-ons tab and look under “Electronic Resources”. The media piece “The Writing Process” explores six ways to brainstorm: “

1) Free Writing

2) Breaking down a Topic

3) Listing

4) Mapping/Webbing

5) Three Perspectives

6) Journalistic Questions

Assignment Directions:

1. Choose three ways to brainstorm from the list above.

2. Brainstorm about the topic of your Persuasive Essay using each of your chosen 3 methods.

3. Document your brainstorms using this resource.

4. If you choose to brainstorm by mapping/webbing, you will document your brainstorm within the media piece and save it as a PDF file (directions are included in the media piece), which you will then submit to the drop box along with this completed resource (an assignment drop box can accept more than one assignment).

Documentation of Brainstorm:

Record your brainstorms below using as much space as needed for each entry.

Brainstorm One:

Brainstorm Two:

Brainstorm Three:

Grading Criteria:

The assignment will be assessed according to the following criteria:

1) Brainstorm includes three different ways to brainstorm.

2) Brainstorm includes multiple and varied ideas.

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PHI 105 Grand Canyon Week 3 Discussion 1

List 3-5 of the most significant decisions you have made in your lifetime. To what degree did your emotions play a role in those decisions?

PHI 105 Grand Canyon Week 3 Discussion 2

What is “emotional intelligence” (EQ)? How does it compare to IQ? How can it help you? Is one more valuable than the other?

PHI 105 Grand Canyon Week 3 Assignment 1

Persuasive Essay: Thesis Statement Worksheet

Details:

Review “How Do I Develop a Thesis?” in the media piece “The Writing Process.”

Assignment Directions:

Write your thesis statement in the box below:

Grading Criteria:

Consider the following questions when developing the thesis statement for your essay. These criteria will be applied when this assignment is graded. The answer to each of the 5 questions below should be yes if you have drafted a quality thesis statement.

1) Does the thesis statement respond to the writing prompt?

2) Did you take a position that others may oppose?

3) Is the thesis statement specific?

4) Does the thesis pass the “So what?” test?

5) Does the thesis statement not leave the reader with questions?

PHI 105 Grand Canyon Week 3 Assignment 2

Five Thinking Errors Worksheet

Details:

1) Read Thinking Activity 2.5 on page 41 of the text.

2) Complete the table using the information from the text. An example has been provided for you in red.

3) You must use a total of four thinking errors (not including the example given).

4) GCU style is not required, but solid academic writing is expected.

5) This assignment uses a grading rubric that can be viewed at the assignment’s drop box. Instructors will be using the rubric to grade the assignment; therefore, students should review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the assignment criteria and expectations for successful completion of the assignment.

Thinking Error/ Description	Example of Each Error From Personal Life	How did the thinking error affect your critical thinking?	How could you manage the emotions associated with this thinking error in the future?
Personalization: When a person thinks everything is about him or her.	My boss frowned and I wondered what I had done to upset her.	I allowed the emotion to manage my thoughts, rather than me questioning my initial emotional assumption.	Question and maybe even check my assumption about the cause.

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PHI 105 Grand Canyon Week 4 Discussion 1

Review a social media blog from the following list and examine it for fallacious reasoning. Identify at least two examples of fallacies within the selected blog. Record the fallacious quotes from the blog, and explain what type of fallacy you believe they are. For follow-up discussion, decide whether or not you agree or disagree with your classmates and explain why.

PHI 105 Grand Canyon Week 4 Discussion 2

Describe a situation where you recently made a generalization in a statement on something. In hindsight, how could you have reacted differently so that your statement would have been more valid?

PHI 105 Grand Canyon Week 4 Assignment 1

Fallacies in Everyday Life Worksheet

Details:

Before beginning this worksheet, read the “Fallacies Defined” resource.

Purpose of Assignment

In Module 4, you learn about fallacies. Fallacies are defects in an argument that cause an argument to be invalid, unsound, or weak. Fallacies are illogical by definition. When fallacies are used as an argument, it is called fallacious reasoning. You encounter fallacious reasoning every day.

As critical thinkers, one of our goals is to avoid fallacious reasoning and rely instead on logic. The purpose of this assignment is to identify fallacious reasoning in everyday life. There are various types of fallacies. This assignment will focus on the 15 types of fallacies listed below. The more familiar you are with the various types of fallacies, the easier it is to be critical thinkers.

This assignment has two parts.

Assignment Instructions Part 1:

Read the following quotations and choose which type of fallacy it represents by highlighting the appropriate fallacy. Then, in three to five sentences, explain why you chose the fallacy you did for each quotation.

Here is an example:

Quotation: “With the U.S. unemployment rate at 9.1%, every state, county, and city has unemployment problems (Johnson, 2011).”

a. Slippery Slope

b. ExtravagantHypothesis

c. False Analogy

d. Hasty Generalization

Explanation: This quote is an example of hasty generalization because it assumes that the employment rate for the whole country will affect each state, county and city equally. In fact, the 9.1% is just an average. There are some places much worse than this and there are some places much better. For example, the unemployment rate in California is 11.7% , but in Lincoln, Nebraska it is only 3.8%.

1. Quotation:” I don’t wear my seat belt while driving anymore because I have three friends that all got in accidents while they were wearing their seatbelts.”

Which of the following types of fallacies is this statement?

Slippery Slope

ExtravagantHypothesis

False Analogy

Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc

Explanation:

2. Quotation: “We have enough oil in the world to last a couple hundred years, so everyone should just drive SUV’s as long as they can afford the gas.”

Which of the following types of fallacies is this statement?

Appeal to Authority

Appeal to Tradition

The Is/Ought Fallacy

Bandwagon Appeal

Explanation:

3. Quotation:“If you believe in global warming you just believe everything you are told and don’t think for yourself.”

Which of the following types of fallacies is this statement?

Fallacy of Division

Circular Reasoning

Either/or Fallacy

Hasty Generalization

Explanation:

4. Quotation:“The defendant is obviously guilty because the polygraph administrator testified that he was lying.”

Which of the following types of fallacies is this statement?

The Fallacy of Composition

Appeal to Ignorance

The Genetic Fallacy

Appeal to Authority

Explanation:

5. Quotation:“Barefoot running is superior to wearing running shoes because humans ran for thousands of years before shoes were invented.”

Which of the following types of fallacies is this statement?

a. Extravagant Hypothesis

b. Appeal to Tradition

c. Fallacy of Division

d. False Analogy

Explanation:

Assignment Instructions Part 2:

Identify and label each fallacious statement from the list below.

Fallacy of Division

Circular Reasoning

Either or Fallacy

Hasty Generalization

The Fallacy of Composition

Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc

Extravagant Hypothesis

False Analogy

Slippery Slope

The Genetic Fallacy

Appeal to Authority

Appeal to Tradition

The Is-Ought Fallacy

Bandwagon Appeal

Appeal to Ignorance

1. Fallacious Statement:” I can’t help but think that you are the cause of this problem; we never had any problem within this department until you started working here.” What type of fallacy is it? Select a type of fallacy from the list above. ________________________________________________________

2. Fallacious Statement: “There is no compelling evidence that UFOs do not exist. Therefore, UFOs exist.” What type of fallacy is it? Select a type of fallacy from the list above. ________________________________________________________

3. Fallacious Statement: “You should not eat at fast food restaurants because if you do then soon that is all you will be eating.” What type of fallacy is it? Select a type of fallacy from the list above. ________________________________________________________

4. Fallacious Statement: “Stanley Clarke is the best bassist ever because he is better at playing the bass than anyone that has ever lived.” What type of fallacy is it? Select a type of fallacy from the list above. ________________________________________________________

5. Fallacious Statement: “The ancient pyramids in Egypt were so symmetrical and well-built that they must have been constructed by aliens from another planet.” What type of fallacy is it? Select a type of fallacy from the list above.

PHI 105 Grand Canyon Week 4 Assignment 2

Persuasive Essay: Outline Worksheet

Details:

Review “How Do I Organize My Brainstorm into an Outline?” of “The Writing Process” Media piece.

Assignment Directions:

Outline your persuasive essay below by completing the following:

1) Use the feedback you received from your instructor to revise your thesis statement. Write your thesis as a complete sentence as you would in your essay. Record your thesis statement in the “Thesis Sentence” entry under the Introductory Paragraph heading below.

2) Create a topic sentence for each of the three paragraphs that comprise the body of your essay. Record the topic sentences in each of the “Topic Sentence” entries under the “Support for Thesis” headings. Your topic sentence should support your thesis and provide a transition between the paragraphs.

3) Record at least three details for each topic sentence. These details should provide support for the topic sentence. (Review the example outline below)

4) Record a concluding sentence under the “Conclusion” heading. This should be your thesis restated in different words.

Example

Introductory Paragraph

Thesis Sentence:

Earning a degree online is great for working adults because it is convenient, economical, and allows them to learn with other working adults around the world.

Support for Thesis 1

Topic Sentence: Online learning is convenient.

A: You can study and learn from home.

B: It is easier to balance work-life obligations.

C: You can attend class any time you would like.

Persuasive Essay Outline

Introductory Paragraph

Thesis Sentence: Support for Thesis 1 Topic Sentence: Detail A, Detail B, Detail C

Support for Thesis 2 Topic Sentence: Detail A, Detail B, Detail C

Support for Thesis 3 Topic Sentence: Detail A, Detail B, Detail C

Conclusion

Thesis Sentence (restated in different words):

Grading Criteria

Consider the following criteria when developing the outline for your essay. These criteria will be applied when this assignment is graded.

1) Outline contains a thesis statement.

2) Outline contains a topic sentence for each of the three paragraphs of the body of the essay.

3) Transitions between paragraphs are evident and appropriate.

4) Contains three details for each topic sentence; details provide support of the related topic sentence.

5) Outline contains concluding sentence, which restates the thesis in different words.

PHI 105 Grand Canyon Week 5 Complete Work

PHI 105 Grand Canyon Week 5 Discussion 1

What is the relationship between thinking and language?

PHI 105 Grand Canyon Week 5 Discussion 2

What are some words that have had a traditional meaning but have been redefined by more recent culture? Think in terms of your parents’ language and how it changed to your generation, computer language’s impact on society or maybe how your kids talk compared to your use of language.

PHI 105 Grand Canyon Week 5 Assignment 1

Thinking and Language Reflection

Details:

Reflect on your understanding of the relationship between thinking and language. Answer the following questions in 3-5 sentences each:

1- How do individuals acquire and develop language? How do you personally communicate your thoughts and how did you learn to do that?

2- Based on your own experiences, what are some symbols (e.g., letters of the alphabet) people use to communicate?

3- Explain how you think these symbols are related to critical thinking?

Review the “Thinking and Language Reflection Grading Criteria” to ensure successful completion.

Thinking and Language Reflection Grading Criteria

The assignment will be graded according to the following criteria:

1) Clarity: The intent of the writer is clear.

2) Logic: The answer makes sense.

3) Answers question: The questions are addressed fully.

4) Mechanics: Answers contain proper punctuation and grammar.

PHI 105 Grand Canyon Week 5 Assignment 2

Persuasive Essay: First Draft

Details:

1- Use your outline to write the first draft of your essay.

2- Review the Persuasive Essay Guidelines.

3- Review the Persuasive Essay Final Draft Rubric to ensure successful completion.

4- Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the GCU Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.

5- After submitting the First Draft of your essay, also post it to the Peer Review forum in Module 6. You should label your paper with your first name and last name (e.g., Karen Palmer’s Paper).

Turnitin Note: The quoted material and/or paraphrased material may only make up to 20% of your entire paper. Be sure to cite both quoted and paraphrased material. The remaining 80% of the paper must be your own creative work.

PHI 105 Grand Canyon Week 6 Complete Work PHI105  

PHI 105 Grand Canyon Week 6 Discussion 1

What is the difference between persuasion and manipulation? Describe a time when you have encountered or used one or both of these.

PHI 105 Grand Canyon Week 6 Discussion 2

Think of a metaphor for something that is commonly used in everyday speech. (ex. a metaphor for losing your job, is being “pink slipped.”) You may not post the same metaphor as someone else. Describe what could happen if someone doesn’t use critical thinking when encountering that metaphor. How would using critical thinking make this a better situation for the individual?

PHI 105 Grand Canyon Week 6 Assignment 1

Types of Communication Table

Details:

Complete the “Types of Communication Table.”

GCU style is not required, but solid academic writing is expected.

This assignment uses a grading rubric that can be viewed at the assignment’s drop box. Instructors will be using the rubric to grade the assignment; therefore, students should review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the assignment criteria and expectations for successful completion of the assignment.

Types of Communication Table

In order to write a quality persuasive essay that incorporates critical thinking you must include a mixture of informative, explanatory, and persuasive statements because to persuade someone you must:

a) Inform them about the topic

b) Explain your argument

c) Persuade your audience to your point of view.

Directions:

Use the table below to do the following:

a) Choose a concept and write an informative statement, an explanatory statement, and a persuasive statement for the concept in the appropriate boxes. An example has been completed for you in red.

b) In part b of the table, select a concept from the draft of your persuasive essay and provide an example of one informative statement, one explanatory statement, and one persuasive statement based on the concept you chose.

c) As discussed in the module lecture, language is intertwined with critical thinking. In part c of the table, in 200-250 words explain the relationship between informative, explanatory, and persuasive statements and critical thinking.

	Concept	Informative: (Just the facts)	Explanatory: (Description of the facts)	Persuasive: (Position on the facts)
Example Concept	Baseball	Baseball is a sport involving 9 players positioned in various places on a field, who are attempting to keep the other team from advancing bases.	There are many ways to score runs in baseball. The most efficient way is for your team to get a series of base hits eventually bringing runners home. In order to do this, players must have good hitting ability, running ability, and judgment.	Quality pitchers are more important than power hitters, because keeping runs off the board could give the pitcher’s team more opportunity win. Teams that have better pitchers almost always end up being the better team.
Part A: Concept of your Choice
Part B: Concept selected from your persuasive essay
Part C: In 200-250 words explain the relationship between informative, explanatory, and persuasive statements and critical thinking

PHI 105 Grand Canyon Week 6 Assignment 2

Persuasive Essay: Peer Review Worksheet

Details:

1- Review the media piece “Peer Review Using Rubrics.”

2- Follow the directions outlined in the media piece to complete the learning activity designed to provide practice using a rubric when peer reviewing a paper.

3- Review the first draft of the person who posted his/her response directly below yours in the Peer Review forum. If your draft is the last posted, review the first draft posted.

4- Complete the “Peer Review Worksheet.”

5- Copy and paste the completed Peer Review to the peer review forum as a “reply” to the initial post of your peer’s first draft. Do not post the worksheet as an attachment.

6- Submit the completed worksheet to your instructor as well.

Review the grading checklist for this assignment included in the worksheet to ensure successful completion.

Top of Form, Bottom of Form

Grading Criteria

The assignment will be graded according to the following criteria:

1) First draft of paper posted to the Peer Review form in a timely fashion.

2) Each section of Peer Review Worksheet is completed.

3) Feedback provided to peer is positive and useful.

4) Directions followed for providing completed Peer Review to the appropriate peer.

PHI 105 Grand Canyon Week 7 Complete Work PHI105  

PHI 105 Grand Canyon Week 7 Discussion 1

Grand Canyon University’s slogan is “Find Your Purpose.” How have you used, or could you use critical thinking in finding your purpose?

PHI 105 Grand Canyon Week 7 Discussion 2

What do you think it means to use ethics in your thinking?

PHI 105 Grand Canyon Week 7 Assignment

Persuasive Essay: Final Draft

Details:

Use your peer’s suggestions to revise and finalize your persuasive essay.

This assignment uses a grading rubric that can be viewed at the assignment’s drop box. Instructors will be using the rubric to grade the assignment; therefore, students should review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the assignment criteria and expectations for successful completion of the assignment.