When evidence is acceptable
1. Comes from a reliable source
2. Neither unerminded nor overridden by the other evidence that we have
Source of evidence is reliable
When it provided accurate information most of the time
1. Reliability is a matter of degree
2. Reliability depends on optimal conditions
3.reliability is topic-relative
When evidence conflict:
overriding
when two pieces of evidence directly conflict, if one is stronger than the other, then the stronger evidence overrides the weaker evidence
-overriden evidence is not acceptable
Evidence is overridden when:
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Indirect conflict
one piece of evidence indirectly conflicts with another when it indicates that it is from an untrustworthy source
undermine
one piece of evidence indirectly conflicts with another, if the first is stronger than the second, then the first piece of evidence undermines the second piece of evidence. unreasonable to accept undermine evidence
Critical thinking mistakes:
Appeal to ignorance
It is a mistake to believe something just because you do not have evidence that is false
- we have to make sure our sources are reliable & no conflicting evidence
Observation & memory
Obsevation is a source. Of evidence & memory is a kind of a store- house for evidence
-before trusting it we need to ask:
Is it reliable for this topic?
Is it reliable enough?
Are the conditions optimal?
Testimony
Testimony evidence id acceptable only if:
-it is an aproptiate topic
- witness is properly trained
-witness is properly informerd
-witness is unbiased
� must have all 4 !
� four conditions are independant
If some testimony is not acceptable
Then you have to say which of the conditions it fails to meet
-som still may be true
- even biased fools can speak the truth
The proper thing a critical thinker to do
Withhold belief
Advertising
-special case of testimony
- celebrities often used to help sell products, even if they're not trained, informed or bias
News media
Special cases of testimony
1. Some reporters not trained experts on the issue
2. Reporters are ibformed by sources& some sources are anonymous
3. Some repeat ehat their sources say with out thinking critically about: passive report
-report bias
Corporate bias
Cultural bias