Critical Thinking Key Words

3. by Side Two or more premises are needed to work in conjunction with each other to logically arrive at a conclusion.
7. Argument An argument that is deemed to have consistently strong reasoning throughout.
8. A set of logical statements, leading to a fair conclusion, with reasons offered to support the conclusion.
13. A prediction, based on a theory, which can be verified as being either correct or incorrect.
15. Conclusion A conclusion that is used as a premise in a continuing line of argumentation.
16. Something that is believed to be true by the speaker, but which may or may not be shared by others.
17. A type of reasoning whereby a conclusion is reached by drawing on implications of the premise. Can never be proved beyond all doubt.
19. A premise leads to a conclusion which in turn, is used as a premise (see intermediate conclusion) for a further conclusion. This pattern may be repeated.
20. Theories Two or more theories trying to explain the same aspect of the natural world.

1. A premise that is believed to have a strong grounding in the truth.
2. A reasoned inference or deduction that follows from the logic of an argument.
4. The proof (facts, experimental, results, observations) that supports an argument.
5. Something which can be demonstrated to be true.
6. A type of reasoning whereby the conclusion that is reached is necessarily true, either by definition or by virtue of the facts.
9. Something that is held to be true, but which has not been, or cannot be, actually demonstrated to be true.
10. Our best attempt to explain something in the natural world, based on what we currently know (sometimes known as laws).
11. A process of applying critical thought to a set of premises to arrive at the most reasonable conclusion.
12. A propositional statement upon which an argument is based or from which a conclusion is drawn.
14. Two or more lines of argument arrive independently at the same conclusion.
18. Only one premise is needed to logically arrive at a conclusion.