This unit is a study of reasoning and argumentation, giving students some practical help in reasoning skills useful beyond philosophy, as well as a philosophical appreciation of argumentation and an introduction to the art of the philosopher. The unit focuses not only on traditional logic but on a range of approaches applicable to different situations. It covers styles of philosophical reasoning, everyday reasoning, scientific reasoning, economic reasoning, moral reasoning, and others. It also covers fallacies such as begging the question, slippery slopes, Ad Hominem, genetic fallacy, equivocation.
Special attention is paid to the concept of validity and the appropriate way to think about it.