Summary: Elements of Thought

• You just learned some of the most essential concepts of reasoning.
• Make sure you are comfortable using the terms in everyday discourse.
• Practice analyzing conversations on the fly. Identify the elements of thought when you encounter them.
• Elements of Thought
  • Purpose, Goal, or End In View
    • Why are we reasoning?
    • Where are we going?
  • Question at Issue
    • The question that will be answered by the reasoning process.
    • ALWAYS a question.
  • Frame of Reference
    • Roles
    • World Views
    • Paradigm
  • Empirical Dimension
    • What evidence is there?
  • Conceptual Dimension
    • Clarify key terms.
    • What ideas are we working with?
  • Assumptions
    • Unstated, but essential reasons.
  • Implications
    • Conclusions and subconclusions delivered by the sender.
  • Inferences
    • Conclusions and subconclusions drawn by the receiver.
  • Consequences
    • Where does the reasoning take us?
    • If the conclusion is true, then what else must be true?