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Think Again II: How to Reason Deductively

Approx. 13 hours to complete

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Course Summary

Learn the art of Deductive Reasoning and improve your critical thinking skills, with this online course by Duke University on Coursera.

Key Learning Points

Master the principles of Deductive Reasoning
Understand how to use logic to solve problems
Improve your critical thinking skills
Learn how to apply the principles of Deductive Reasoning in real-life situations

Learning Outcomes

Ability to apply the principles of Deductive Reasoning in various scenarios
Improved logical and critical thinking skills
Ability to solve problems more effectively

Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course

Basic understanding of Mathematics
Familiarity with logic and reasoning

Course Difficulty Level

Intermediate

Course Format

Online
Self-paced

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Introduction to Logic
Critical Thinking
Data Analysis and Statistical Inference

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Description

Deductive arguments are supposed to be valid in the sense that the premises guarantee that the conclusion is true. In this course, you will learn how to use truth-tables and Venn diagrams to represent the information contained in the premises and conclusion of an argument so that you can determine whether or not the argument is deductively valid.

Suggested Readings: Students who want more detailed explanations or additional exercises or who want to explore these topics in more depth should consult Understanding Arguments: An Introduction to Informal Logic, Ninth Edition, Concise, Chapters 6 and 7 by Walter Sinnott-Armstrong and Robert Fogelin. Course Format: Each week will be divided into multiple video segments that can be viewed separately or in groups. There will be short ungraded quizzes after each segment (to check comprehension) and a longer graded quiz at the end of the course.

Outline

Welcome to the Course
Introduction to the Specialization
Course Logistics (Start Here)

Propositional Logic and Truth Tables
Introduction to Deductive Logic
Propositions and Propositional Connectives
"And" and the Truth-Functional Connectives
Using Truth Tables to Show Validity
Rules Variables and Generality
Disjunction
Combining Conjunctions and Disjunctions
Negation and Truth Functional Operators
Negating Conjunctions and Disjunctions
Commutativity and Associativity
The Conditional
Conditionals in Ordinary Language
Biconditionals
Conclusion
"And" and the Truth-Functional Connectives
Using Truth Tables to Show Validity
Disjunction
Negation and Truth Functional Operators
Negating Conjuctions and Disjunctions
The Conditional
Conditionals in Ordinary Language
Biconditionals

Categorical Logic and Syllogisms
Categorical Logic
Categories and Quantifiers
How Quantifiers Modify Categories
Immediate Categorical Inferences
Syllogisms
Categories, Individuals, and Language
Venn Diagrams and Validity
Other Ways of Expressing A, E, I, or O Propositions
How Quantifiers Modify Categories
Immediate Categorical Inferences
Syllogisms
Categories, Individuals, and Language
Venn Diagrams and Validity

Representing Information
Reasoning from Venn Diagrams or Truth Tables Alone
Different Ways of Representing Information
Reasoning from Venn Diagrams or Truth Tables Alone

Catch-Up and Final Quiz
Final Quiz

Summary of User Reviews

Discover the art of Deductive Reasoning with Coursera's online course. The course offers a comprehensive and engaging curriculum that has been highly rated by users. Many users found the course to be informative and challenging, providing them with valuable skills to apply in their everyday lives.

Key Aspect Users Liked About This Course

The course material is well-structured and easy to follow, making it accessible for learners of all levels.

Pros from User Reviews

Course material is well-organized and easy to navigate
Challenging curriculum that encourages critical thinking
Engaging video lectures and interactive quizzes
Instructors are knowledgeable and responsive
Certificate of completion adds value to resume

Cons from User Reviews

Some users found the grading system to be inconsistent
Course may be too challenging for beginners
Limited interaction with other students
Course material may be too basic for advanced learners
Some technical issues with the online platform

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