Chapter 3: Objectives

Following are the main learning objectives from the chapter.  To help you coordinate your studies, these objectives are organized into sub-sections (3-1, 3-2, etc.) and listed with the relevant page numbers from the textbook. 

3-1 (pg. 76).
Understand the rule to be used when evaluating claims that come without arguments.

• Distinguish claims that fit with other things you already believe.
• Distinguish claims that come from credible sources.

3-1 (pgs. 76-80).
Understand the role of direct observation in assessing the merit of claims that come without arguments.

• Recognize the factors that render observations unreliable.

3-3 (pgs. 80-84).
Understand the role that one's background knowledge plays in the assessment of claims that come without arguments.

• Gauge the initial plausibility of claims.
• Understand which of two competing claims has the burden of proof.

3-4 (pgs. 84-89).
Understand how the credibility of an expert relates to the assessment of claims that come without arguments.

• Understand the criteria that determine the extent to which someone should be considered an expert in a particular field: education, experience, accomplishments, reputation, and position in the relevant field.
• Recognize the factors that can diminish a person's credibility.

3-5 (pgs. 84-89).
Understand how the credibility of a non-experts relates to the assessment of claims that come without arguments.

• Recognize that the credibility of a non-expert depends on the same factors that influence our own firsthand observations.
• Understand the biases that can affect the credibility of non-experts.

3-6 (pgs. 89-102).
Understand how to assess the credibility of other sources when assessing claims that come without arguments.

• Be able to assess the credibility of reference materials.
• Be able to assess the credibility of news media sources.
• Be able to assess the credibility of internet sources.