thinking about thinking cartoons in the re classroom

Thinking about thinking cartoons in the RE classroom

Dilwyn Hunt

Weak or flawed thinking

Do you think God is real?

I guess so. Lots of people say God is real so it must be

true.

I guess so. If there isn’t a God

how did the universe get

started?

Ginny

Jerome

example 1

Which of Jerome’s reasons do you think is most weak or perhaps flawed?

Explain why.B

A

A

Insert an image of two young people Ginny and

Jerome talking

Weak or flawed thinking

I guess so. Lots of people say God is real so it must be

true.

I guess so. If there isn’t a God

how did the universe get

started? Jerome

Which of Jerome’s reasons do you think is most weak or perhaps flawed?

Explain why.A

If lots of people say something is true, that doesn’t

make it true.

Appealing to the people

Argumentum ad populum

B

A example 1

Insert an image of Jerome

talking

insert an image of an

ancient Greek

philosopher

Weak or flawed thinking

Do you think God is real?

I guess so. Lots of people say God is real so it must be

true.

I guess so. If there isn’t a God

how did the universe get

started? JeromeThe fact that lots of people say that

God is real doesn’t make it true.

Explain why.B

A

Ginny

example 1

For example, lots of people once believed that the earth stood still and the sun travelled around the earth but today we know that is not true.

Insert an image of two young people Ginny and

Jerome talking

Weak or flawed thinking

Do you think there really is a God?

I reckon so. There has to be a God. It stands to reason. So

God must exist.

I reckon so. If there isn’t a God

where did life come from?

Ginny

Jerome

example 2

Which of Jerome’s reasons do you think is most weak or perhaps flawed?

Explain why.B

A

A

Insert an image of two young people Ginny and

Jerome talking

Weak or flawed thinking

I reckon so. There has to be a God. It stands to reason. So

God must exist.

I reckon so. If there isn’t a God

where did life come from? Jerome

example 2

Which of Jerome’s reasons do you think is most weak or perhaps flawed?

Explain why.B

A

A

This is a circular argument.

Jerome begins with what he is trying to end up

with.

It is based on a premise which contains the conclusion.

insert an image of an

ancient Greek

philosopher

insert an image of a Jerome

Weak or flawed thinking

I reckon so. There has to be a God. It stands to reason. So

God must exist.

I reckon so. If there isn’t a God

where did life come from? Jerome

example 2

Which of Jerome’s reasons do you think is most weak or perhaps flawed?

Explain why.B

A

A

There has to be a God.

1st premise

2nd premiseIt stands to reason.

ConclusionSo God must exist.

insert an image of an

ancient Greek

philosopher

insert an image of a Jerome

Weak or flawed thinking

Ashley

example 2

Is Ashley’s argument a circular argument?

Explain why.

God is a necessary being.

1st premise

2nd premiseGod cannot fail to exist.

ConclusionSo God cannot

not exist.

God is a necessary

being. God cannot fail to

exist. So God cannot not

exist?

insert an image of an

ancient Greek

philosopher

Giving reasons

critical thinkingdiamond nine

Lucy says she believes in the resurrection of Jesus. Which is her strongest reason? Which is her weakest reason?

strongest reason

weakest reason

Giving reasons

critical thinkingdiamond nine

Dave says a church should be allowed to provide same sex marriages if they want to. Which is his strongest reason? Which is his weakest reason?

strongest reason

weakest reason

Weak or flawed thinking example 3

Carl

Which of Harry’s reasons do you think is most weak or perhaps flawed?

A

BB Explain why.

Yes – his disciples were scared and had given up but

then they changed and were full of

courage. Something happened that changed them. They had seen

Jesus alive.

Do you think Jesus rose

from the dead?

Harry

Yes – Jesus rose from the dead. That’s

my opinion and everyone has a right

to their opinion.

Insert an image of two young people Haryy and Carl

talking

Weak or flawed thinking example 3

Carl

Explain why.

Yes – Jesus rose from the dead. That’s

my opinion and everyone has a right

to their opinion.

No reason is given. The

issue is seen as personal rather than

what it is – a claim about what really

happened in the world.

Do you think Jesus rose

from the dead?

Harry

Which of Harry’s reasons do you think is most weak or perhaps flawed? B

Insert an image of two young people Harry and Carl

talkinginsert an image of an

ancient Greek

philosopher

Weak or flawed thinking example 3

Carl

Explain why.

Yes – Jesus rose from the dead. That’s

my opinion and everyone has a right

to their opinion.

No reason is given. The

issue is seen as personal rather than

what it is – a claim about what really

happened in the world.

Do you think Jesus rose

from the dead?

Harry

Whether Harry has a right to have an opinion is not the issue. BThe issue is - did Jesus rise from the dead. Harry is not offering a reason for agreeing with his view.

Insert an image of two young people Haryy and Carl

talkinginsert an image of an

ancient Greek

philosopher

Weak or flawed thinking example 3

objective

Harry

subjective

contentious uncontentiouslikely to cause an argument not likely to cause an argument

The law requires RE to be taught in all Community schools.

England won the World Cup in 1966

Geoff Hurst’s 3rd goaldid cross the line

The next fifty years will see the healthy growth of RE in our schools.

Jesus rose from the dead. That’s my opinion and everyone has a right

to their opinion.

The Bible is the Christian holy book.

When die we will haveto face the judgement of God.

Weak or flawed thinking example 3

objective

Harry

subjectiveObjective statements are not personal preferences. They are claims about the world.

Subjective statements reflect the personal preferences of people. The subject of the statement is the person.

God created the universe.

Jesus rose from the dead.

Harry likes Brussels sprouts but hates broad beans.

Harry likes Grime but doesn’t like Heavy Metal.

Jesus rose from the dead. That’s my opinion and everyone has a right

to their opinion.

There will be a Judgement Day

Harry likes Star Trek but doesn’t like Dr Who.

Weak or flawed thinking example 3

Carl

Explain why.

The claim that Jesus rose from the dead has to do with claiming that an event in this world really happened. It is not an issue to do with personal inner feelings or preferences.

Yes – Jesus rose from the dead. That’s

my opinion and everyone has a right

to their opinion.

No reason is given. The

issue is seen as personal rather than

what it is – a claim about what really

happened in the world.

Do you think Jesus rose

from the dead?

Harry

Insert an image of two young people Harry and Carl

talkinginsert an image of an

ancient Greek

philosopher

Weak or flawed thinking

I prayed for Grandma so how come

she still died?

I guess God doesn’t always

do what we want Ginny.

God does what is right.

You can’t swim properly Ginny

so I bet you can’t pray right

either.

Ginny

Jerome

Which of Jerome’s reasons do you think is most weak or perhaps flawed? Explain why.

example 4A

BA

Insert an image of two young people Harry and Carl

talking

Weak or flawed thinking

Jerome

Explain why.

Attacking the person and not

the issue is not a proper

argument.

Attacking the person

Argumentum ad hominem

Which of Jerome’s reasons do you think is most weak or perhaps flawed? A

A

B

I guess God doesn’t always

do what we want Ginny.

God does what is right.

You can’t swim properly Ginny

so I bet you can’t pray right

either.

example 4

insert an image of an

ancient Greek

philosopher

insert an image of a Jerome

Weak or flawed thinking

I prayed for Grandma so how come

she still died?

I guess God doesn’t always

do what we want Ginny.

God does what is right.

Ginny

Jerome

Explain why.

example 4A

B

You can’t swim properly Ginny

so I bet you can’t pray right

either.

Jerome is not talking about the subject which is prayer but is talking about Ginny.

AThe fact that Ginny can’t swim does not matter. It is not connected in any way to the subject which is prayer.

Insert an image of two young people Ginny and

Jerome talking

Weak or flawed thinking example 5

Do you think voluntary

euthanasia is wrong?

Harry

Carl

Which of Carl’s reasons do you think is most weak or perhaps flawed?

Yes – because we must live with everything life

throws at us – good and bad. You shouldn’t just

ask to die no matter how tough and difficult it

becomes.

B

A

A Explain why.

Yes – people who believe in voluntary euthanasia say that everyone over the age of 75 should

volunteer to be put to death.

Insert an image of two young people Harry and Carl

talking

Weak or flawed thinking example 5

Carl

Which of Carl’s reasons do you think is most weak or perhaps flawed?

Yes – people who believe in voluntary euthanasia say that everyone over the age of 75 should

volunteer to be put to death. A

A Explain why.

This is a ‘straw man’

argument. It attacks a

view which they do not

have.

Yes – because we must live with everything life

throws at us – good and bad. You shouldn’t just

ask to die no matter how tough and difficult it

becomes.

B

Do you think voluntary

euthanasia is wrong?

insert an image of an

ancient Greek

philosopher

insert an image of a Carl

Weak or flawed thinking example 5

Carl

Yes – people who believe in voluntary euthanasia say that everyone over the age of 75 should

volunteer to be put to death. A

This is a ‘straw man’

argument. It attacks a

view which they do not

have.

Yes – because we must live with everything life

throws at us – good and bad. You shouldn’t just

ask to die no matter how tough and difficult it

becomes.

B

Do you think voluntary

euthanasia is wrong?

This is a weak and inaccurate version of what they say which is put up in order to be easily knocked down and dismissed.

People who believe in voluntary euthanasia do not believe elderly people should volunteer to die.

insert an image of an

ancient Greek

philosopher

insert an image of a Carl

Weak or flawed thinking example 6

Carl

Which of Harry’s reasons do you think is most weak or perhaps flawed?

A

B

B Explain why.

I think they are. Some of the miracles

have details which wouldn’t be there if the story had been

made up.

Do you think Jesus’

miracles are true?

Harry

I think they are. It says so in the

Bible and the Bible doesn’t lie.

Insert an image of two young people Harry and Carl

talking

Weak or flawed thinking example 6

Which of Harry’s reasons do you think is most weak or perhaps flawed?

A

B

B Explain why.

Harry

I think they are. It says so in the

Bible and the Bible doesn’t lie.

The fact that something

or someone says it is

true doesn’t mean it is

true.

I think they are. Some of the miracles

have details which wouldn’t be there if the story had been

made up.

Do you think Jesus’ miracles

are true?

appeal to authority

argumentum ad verecundiam

insert an image of an

ancient Greek

philosopherinsert an image

of a Harry

Weak or flawed thinking example 6

Which of Harry’s reasons do you think is most weak or perhaps flawed?

A

B

B Explain why.

Harry

I think they are. It says so in the

Bible and the Bible doesn’t lie.

I think they are. Some of the miracles

have details which wouldn’t be there if the story had been

made up.

Do you think Jesus’ miracles

are true?

appeal to authority

argumentum ad verecundiam

The argument

only appeals to those who

believe in Bible.

insert an image of an

ancient Greek

philosopherinsert an image

of a Harry

Weak or flawed thinking example 6

Which of Harry’s reasons do you think is most weak or perhaps flawed?

A

BHarry

The argument

only appeals to those who

believe in Bible.

argumentum ad verecundiam

Claiming something is true because it is in the Bible doesn’t settle the issue. It just poses the question - is the Bible true?

I think they are. Some of the miracles

have details which wouldn’t be there if the story had been

made up.

I think they are. It says so in the

Bible and the Bible doesn’t lie.

Do you think Jesus’ miracles

are true?

At best the reason can only persuade people who already believe the Bible is true.

appeal to authority

insert an image of an

ancient Greek

philosopherinsert an image

of a Harry

Weak or flawed thinking example 7

Do you believe in the

theory of evolution?

Harry

Carl

A

A Explain why.

No. The theory of

evolution is just a theory.

No. 3½ billion years ago there was water,

carbon, light but nothing living. Then suddenly there were living cells. Evolution

can’t explain that.

BWhich of Carl’s reasons do you think is most weak or perhaps flawed?

Insert an image of two young people Harry and Carl

talking

Weak or flawed thinking example 7

Do you believe in the

theory of evolution?

Harry

Carl

A

A Explain why.

No. The theory of

evolution is just a theory.

No. 3½ billion years ago there was water,

carbon, light but nothing living. Then suddenly there were living cells. Evolution

can’t explain that.

BWhich of Carl’s reasons do you think is most weak or perhaps flawed?

Insert an image of two young people Harry and Carl

talking

Weak or flawed thinking example 7

Carl

No. 3½ billion years ago there was water,

carbon, light but nothing living. Then suddenly there were living cells. Evolution

can’t explain that.

B

A

A Explain why.

No. The theory of

evolution is just a theory.

This is an ‘equivocation’

argument. The word ‘theory’ is being used to

mean to different things.

Do you believe in the theory of

evolution?

‘Theory’ can mean something that is ‘iffy’ or ‘conjecture’.

Which of Carl’s reasons do you think is most weak or perhaps flawed?

insert an image of an

ancient Greek

philosopher

insert an image of a Carl

Weak or flawed thinking example 7

Carl

Which of Carl’s reasons do you think is most weak or perhaps flawed?

No. 3½ billion years ago there was water,

carbon, light but nothing living. Then suddenly there were living cells. Evolution

explain that.

B

A

A Explain why.

No. The theory of

evolution is just a theory.

Do you believe in the theory of

evolution?

‘Theory’ means a statement based on all available empirical data which currently best explains a natural phenomena.

This is an ‘equivocation’

argument. The word ‘theory’ is being used to

mean to different things.

doublespeak

insert an image of an

ancient Greek

philosopher

insert an image of a Carl

Weak or flawed thinking example 7

Carl

The use of the word ‘theory’ in its sense meaning something ’iffy’ attempts to suggest that evolutionists themselves acknowledge that the idea is uncertain.

No. 3½ billion years ago there was water,

carbon, light but nothing living. Then suddenly there were living cells. Evolution

explain that.

B

A

A Explain why.

No. The theory of

evolution is just a theory.

Do you believe in the theory of

evolution?

This is an ‘equivocation’

argument. The word ‘theory’ is being used to

mean to different things.

doublespeak

‘Theory’ means a statement based on all available empirical data which currently best explains a natural phenomena.

insert an image of an

ancient Greek

philosopher

insert an image of a Carl

Weak or flawed thinking

Do you think that without religion

people are more bad?

Ginny

Jerome

Which of Ginny’s reasons do you think is most weak or perhaps flawed?

Explain why.

example 8

B

I guess so. When people stop believing

crime and violence goes

up.

I guess so. If you think you’ve got to face God one day it must make some

difference.

A

B

Insert an image of two young people Ginny and

Jerome talking

Weak or flawed thinking

Ginny

Which of Ginny’s reasons do you think is most weak or perhaps flawed?

example 8

I guess so. When people stop believing

crime and violence goes

up.

A

B

This is a ‘spurious correlation

argument’. Correlation does not mean cause.

I guess so. If you think you’ve got to face God one day it must make some

difference.

Spurious correlation argument

B

insert an image of an

ancient Greek

philosopher

insert an image of a Ginny

Weak or flawed thinking

Ginny

Which of Ginny’s reasons do you think is most weak or perhaps flawed?

example 8

I guess so. When people stop believing

crime and violence goes

up.

A

B

This is a ‘spurious correlation

argument’. Correlation does not mean cause.

I guess so. If you think you’ve got to face God one day it must make some

difference.

The decline in religion may coincide with an increase in crime But there may not be any direct connection.

The increase in crime may be due more to the increase in the number of people living in cities.

another factor

Spurious correlation argument

insert an image of an

ancient Greek

philosopher

insert an image of a Ginny

Weak or flawed thinking example 9

There is evil in the world but I

think most of it is down to us. It’s not the fault of

demon or a fallen angel.

Harry Carl

A

B Explain why.

Do you believe in Satan?

B

Which of Harry’s reasons do you think is most weak or perhaps flawed?

Satan definitely does exist and there’s no proof that it isn’t true.

Insert an image of two young people Harry and Carl

talking

Weak or flawed thinking example 9

Harry

A

B Explain why.

Do you believe in Satan?

B

Which of Harry’s reasons do you think is most weak or perhaps flawed?

Satan definitely does exist and there’s no proof that it isn’t true.

A claim is not shown to be true on the

grounds that it hasn’t been

proved false.

Argument from ignorance

argumentum ad ignorantiam

There isn’t any smoke so there must be a fire.

There is evil in the world but I

think most of it is down to us. It’s not the fault of

demon or a fallen angel.

insert an image of an

ancient Greek

philosopher

insert an image of a Harry

Weak or flawed thinking example 9

Harry

A

B Explain why.

Do you believe in Satan?

B

Which of Harry’s reasons do you think is most weak or perhaps flawed?

Satan definitely does exist and there’s no proof that it isn’t true.

A claim is not shown to be true on the

grounds that it hasn’t been

proved false.

Argument from ignorance

argumentum ad ignorantiam

The burden of proof is usually on those making the claim not on those who deny it..

There is evil in the world but I

think most of it is down to us. It’s not the fault of

demon or a fallen angel.

insert an image of an

ancient Greek

philosopher

insert an image of a Harry

Weak or flawed thinking example 10

Don’t you think getting

married young is often a mistake?

Harry

Carl

A

A Explain why.

I think it is a good idea. My sister got married when she was eighteen and

she is very happy.

I think it is a good idea. It depends on

how strong the relationship is and how hard they both work at maintaining

it.

BWhich of Carl’s reasons do you think is most weak or perhaps flawed?

Insert an image of two young people Harry and Carl

talking

Weak or flawed thinking example 10

Carl

A Explain why.

This is a ‘generalising

from the particular

argument.’

A specific example cannot be use to support a general conclusion. The sample is too small to support such a claim.

Carl’s argument is weak because he makes a general conclusion from a single example. To support such a broad conclusion a large number body of evidence would be needed.

I think it is a good idea. My sister got married when she was eighteen and

she is very happy.

I think it is a good idea. It depends on

how strong the relationship is and how hard they both work at maintaining

it.

Don’t you think getting married young is often a

mistake?

A

B

The generalisation fallacy

insert an image of an

ancient Greek

philosopher

insert an image of a Carl

Learningfromreligion The Formal teaching of Critical thinking

What does thinking look like when it goes wrong?

The ‘appeal to the people argument’

Because a lot of people believe a thing to be true does not mean that it is.

‘There is a life after death because so many people believe it is true.

1.

They can’t all be wrong.’

Learningfromreligion The Formal teaching of Critical thinking

What does thinking look like when it goes wrong?

The ‘circular argument’

‘The Bible is a holy book because it is sacred.’

2.

‘Stealing is wrong because you shouldn’t take things.’

An argument based on a premise which contains the conclusion.

It begins with what it tries to prove.

Learningfromreligion The Formal teaching of Critical thinking

What does thinking look like when it goes wrong?

The ‘circular argument’An argument based on a premise which contains the conclusion.

‘God is a necessary being so God must exist.’

‘God is a necessary being so God cannot not exist.’

2.

It begins with what it tries to prove.

Learningfromreligion The Formal teaching of Critical thinking

What does thinking look like when it goes wrong?

The ‘it’s my opinion argument’

The right to have an opinion is not the issue.

‘Jesus rose from the dead. That’s my opinion and everyone has a right to their opinion.

3.

The issue is – did Jesus rise from the dead. Asserting your opinion is a failure to offer a reason to agree.

Learningfromreligion The Formal teaching of Critical thinking

What does thinking look like when it goes wrong?

The ‘attacking the person argument’

When the arguer is attacked and not the argument.

‘What makes you so sure you have not been reincarnated?

4.

You can never remember when my birthday is so perhaps reincarnation is another one of your blind spots.’

Learningfromreligion The Formal teaching of Critical thinking

What does thinking look like when it goes wrong?

The ‘straw man argument’

When a view is falsely represented and the false view is then criticised.

‘To be a Christian you have to believe there is a God up there who made the world in six days.

5.

I just don’t buy that. That’s why I’m not a Christian.’

Learningfromreligion The Formal teaching of Critical thinking

What does thinking look like when it goes wrong?

The ‘equivocation argument’

When a word which has more than one meaning is used in its two different senses.

‘The theory of evolution is just a theory.’

7.

Learningfromreligion The Formal teaching of Critical thinking

What does thinking look like when it goes wrong?

The ‘spurious correlation argument’

When something is claimed to be the cause but evidence of a formal causal link is weak.

correlation and cause‘Since the death penalty was abolished in 1965 the number of sparrows has dropped by over 70%.’

8.

‘As the increase in video games has gone up so has child violence.’

Learningfromreligion The Formal teaching of Critical thinking

What does thinking look like when it goes wrong?

‘When my dad my was sick I prayed.

8. The ‘spurious correlation argument’

correlation and cause

When something is claimed to be the cause but evidence of a formal causal link is weak.

Soon after that he got well. That shows that prayer does work.’

Learningfromreligion The Formal teaching of Critical thinking

What does thinking look like when it goes wrong?

The ‘argument from ignorance’

When something is claimed to be true on the grounds that it hasn’t been proved false.

‘There are many angels in the world

9.

I know that’s true and there’s no proof that it isn’t so.’

Learningfromreligion The Formal teaching of Critical thinking

What does thinking look like when it goes wrong?

The burden of proof is usually on those making the claim not on those who deny it.

‘Heaven is a place where the sun always shines and you can play and eat chocolate

all day.

9.

There is no proof that this is not true.’

The ‘argument from ignorance’

Learningfromreligion The Formal teaching of Critical thinking

What does thinking look like when it goes wrong?

The ‘generalising from particular argument’

When something is true in one, or a few cases, and so it claimed to be true in all cases.

‘A friend of mine had an abortion

Anecdotal thinking

10.

and she still regrets what she did.’