Rationalism comes from the Latin ratio, meaning 'reason'. While our sense perception, language, and emotion provide us with some valid ways of knowing, each has their limitations. As a result, philosophers often turn to reason as a rational attempt to find logically persuasive ways of knowing. Rationalists, in fact, believe that reason plays the main role in understanding the world and obtaining knowledge -- and they seek to prove their ‘knowledge’ through reasoned arguments.
From our viewing of Monty Python's 'Argument Clinic', we learned that an argument:
- is an intellectual process;
- is a connected series of statements intended to establish a proposition; and
- involves supporting claims and judging those of others.
In short, an argument = a set of statements which is such that one of them (the conclusion) is supported or implied by the others (the premise). In lesson 2, we will explore the two main types of arguments –- i.e. deductive and inductive.
In preparation for next lesson, I would like you to attempt the puzzles #1-#5. To do so successfully, you will be testing your lateral thinking skills – i.e. solving problems by employing unorthodox and apparently illogical means, so that the usual thinking patterns are challenged and restructured.
Please have a go at least two of the five puzzles above... and post your solution as a comment to your attempted puzzles by Tuesday, December 4th.
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