Maderal, Lance Andre D.

XI Maxwell

Introduction to Philosophy
Mr. Medina

1. What makes a person a critical thinker?

Critical thinking is the objective analysis and evaluation of an issue in order to

form a judgement. Though it may sound simple, critical thinking is actually way
deeper than that. In fact, in order to become critical thinkers, we must possess
certain traits and characteristics. First of all, you know you are a critical thinker if
you ask a lot of questions. You easily find holes in different points of views and
youre not afraid to question your own beliefs. You lack emotional attachment to
them. Another is that when people contradict your belief, you do not get mad or
disrespected. You would usually be angry if you are afraid that your belief is
wrong because what others think is right. You are a critical thinker if you stand by
your point-of-view even if other points-of-view keep coming. Also, you know you
are a critical thinker if you like reading controversial things. Broad topics like
death penalty or same sex marriage or anything as controversial as those usually
interest you. You like contradicting these things with your own perception. You
also usually ask why at uncertain times. Even if the situation does not demand an
explanation, you would still demand an explanation. And finally, youre a critical
thinker if you could not have rational conversations with people whom you
disagree with. Youre not afraid of having a debate. You always love expressing
your opinions especially with someone who contradicts your opinions. Those for
me are some characteristics that critical thinkers have and observe.

2. Who are Bill Gates and Steve Jobs? What do you think are theyre positive attitudes
that made them successful?

William Henry Bill Gates co-founded the company Microsoft together with Paul
Allen during 1975. He was recognized as the wealthiest person during 1995
2007 and then again during 2009, and has been the richest man until 2014.
Steven Paul Steve Jobs is the chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Apple
Inc. He co-founded Apple with Steve Wozniak. He also if a Major Shareholder of
Pixar Animation Studios making him a member of Walt Disney Companys Board
of Directors. Both of them are very successful in life and that success is to be
credited to their amazing and brilliant positive attitudes. Lets start with Gates.
One of the best things about him is that he pursued his passion for computer
programming even at the young age of 13. For me, being able to pursue your
passion is one of the best traits you can have because not only are you more
productive but you also love what your doing so its a win win situation. Another
is that he knows how to say no. in business or in life in general, you should know
your priorities. You should know which one is more important or which one will

benefit you more in the long run. If you keep saying yes to everything, you wont
be able to focus on one thing which will cease progress. He also welcomes
criticism. People always look at terrorism negatively. But, we should use these
criticisms positively through using them to improve our weaknesses and grow
stronger. He is also optimistic. And most importantly, he is willing to fail. In
mistakes you learn. From success, not so much. Also, success is a very lousy
teacher. It tricks successful people into thinking that they wont fail. See, life is
like a tire. Whats on top now cant always be on top in the next few moments,
right? Lets move on to Steve Jobs. He is a person with a prodigious creativity
and on top of that, he had amazing visions on how the future would look like. He
has very strong leadership skills. He inspires his employees through his vision
and this has granted great respect from business associates. He also is a great
influencer. He has always helped motivate his team. And most importantly, like
Bill Gates, he is ready to embrace failure, which I think is the key to success.
3. Explain the importance of logic and critical thinking.

Logic and critical thinking are very important to the transfer of correct and
plausible information in their own separate ways. If we dont use logic and critical
thinking, we would not be able to answer questions properly. We also would not
be able to analyze situations correctly. Let me point out one of our discussions in
Philosophy Class. Without logic and critical thinking, we would probably answer
simple questions the way unconventional and stupid way. What do I mean? Let
me give an example. Nasaan ka na? Malapit na. Ilan ka? Perfect or 45 or
1 mistake. Bakit ka nandito? I have to say. These are some of the dumbest
questions we use to this day. I have to admit. I also use them sometimes. The
thing is, we have been using these dumb and irresponsible questions for quite
some time now that we dont even try to correct them. Where is the logic in that?
Another is that without logic and critical thinking, we Filipinos would probably still
use brand names for general names. Pabili po ng colgate, ung close up. Wed
be living in a wrong world if we still used that. Logic is used in arguments as well.
We use logic to explain what we understand and defend our perspective. Without
logic and critical thinking, the world would be one big mess.

4. How can we differentiate truth from opinion? Explain for at least 5 sentences.

Truth is something that is related to or in accordance with fact and/or reality. It is

a belief which is considered to be true. Bears have fur. Duterte is the current
president of the Philippines. Senior High has just started in the Philippines. An
opinion is a view or judgement which circles around a certain topic, but is not
necessarily based on facts and prior knowledge. Bears fur is fluffy. Duterte is
going to be one of the best presidents of the Philippines. Senior high may help
the Philippines grow more. Truths and opinions are two very distinct and different

words. One of their main differences are that truths are considered to be real
while opinions are judgement based on peoples perspective. Truth usually
contain facts and statistics while opinions are usually statements which speculate
events.
5. Give at least 2 examples for each logical fallacies mentioned.
Fallacies are defects in arguments. These fallacies do not include false
premises. The types of fallacies with different examples are as follows.
i. Appeal to Pity (argumentum ad misericordiam) appealing to emotion
Homeless children begging on the street.
You owe me because I got your back last time
ii. Appeal to Ignorance (argumentum ad ignorantiam) something not
proven to be true is false, and vice versa.
You cant prove that aliens dont exist, so I believe that they
do.
Since no one can prove the God exists, he doesnt.
iii. Equivocation using the same term but with different meanings
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Therefore, a bird
is worth more than President Bush.
Evolution states that one species can change into another.
We see that cars have evolved into different styles.
Therefore, since evolution is a fact in cars, it is true in
species.
iv. Composition thinking that whats true of one part is true for the whole
The heart is a muscle. Therefore, all parts of the body are
muscles.
The neurons of the brain are microscopic. Therefore, the
brain is microscopic.
v. Division thinking that whats true for the whole is true for one part.
The car is blue. Therefore, the engine is blue.
Your family is noisy. Therefore, you are also noisy.
vi. Against the person (argumentum ad hominem) attacking the
individual instead of the argument
Youre so dumb. Why not stop arguing?
You wont get it right anyway, so I didnt check.
vii. Appeal to force telling that something bad will happen if the argument
is not accepted
If you dont accept, Im forcing you out.
Convert or suffer.
viii. Appeal to the people telling someone to do it because everyone else
is doing it
Everybody loves milk tea. Therefore, milk tea is good.
Everyone else exercises. Why dont you?

ix. False cause (Post Hoc) since an event followed another, the first
event must have caused the second.
Bianca slipped while cleaning the house. Therefore, cleaning
the house is dangerous.
Mario got sick while taking the exams. Therefore, we should
not take exams.
x. Hasty generalization drawing a conclusion based on a small
population
My father smoked four packs of cigarettes a day
since age fourteen and lived until age sixty-nine.
Therefore, smoking really cant be that bad for you.
Four out of five dentists recommend Happy Glossy Smiley
toothpaste brand. Therefore, it must be great.
xi. Begging the question(petitio principii) assuming that something is
true
Happiness is the highest good for a human being, since all
other values are inferior to it.
John: "Why didn't you include Lorena's poetry in the student
publication?" Anne: "Because it was judged as not
sufficiently worthy of publication."