The three main topics covered in this introductory lesson are:
The premises of an argument are the set of statements that together comprise a reason for a further statement. The conclusion is the statement that those premises give you reason to believe.
A good reason for a belief is one that makes the belief probable, meaning it makes the belief likely to be true. The very best reasons for a belief make it certain, guaranteeing it.
In a deductive argument, the premises guarantee the truth of the conclusion. If the premises are true, the conclusion must necessarily be true. In an ampliative argument, the premises do not guarantee the truth of the conclusion, but they do make it probable, offering good reasons for belief without certainty.
This video serves as an introduction to the fundamental concepts of critical thinking. It defines critical thinking as the process of ensuring one has good reasons for their beliefs. The video explains what an argument is, differentiating between premises and conclusions, and discusses the difference between deductive and ampliative arguments, emphasizing their importance in evaluating the strength of reasoning.