Philosophy 105 - Practical Reasoning
Spring
2026
01AC
F 9:05AM 9:55AM
UMass Amherst
81643
Dickinson Hall room 112
This course covers methods for understanding and evaluating reasoning, arguments and inferences, of the sort found in daily life, political speeches, academic writing and beyond. We address such questions as: What is the structure of an argument? What considerations are relevant for determining its strength and cogency? What sorts of appeals to quantitative and scientific data are appropriate, and what sorts aren't? How can we understand and overcome cognitive biases?
Multiple required components--lab and/or discussion section. To register, submit requests for all components simultaneously.