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intro to critical reasoning


chris lele
lesson by chris lele
magoosh expert

summary
the content provides an introduction to gmat critical reasoning, focusing on the structure of arguments, the distinction between deductive and inductive reasoning, and the importance of identifying unstated assumptions to evaluate the strength of an argument.
  • critical reasoning questions test the ability to reason through arguments composed of premises and a conclusion.
  • deductive reasoning offers conclusions that flow directly and necessarily from premises, while inductive reasoning involves conclusions that are probable based on premises.
  • inductive reasoning, which is the focus of gmat critical reasoning, relies on unstated assumptions that can affect the validity of the conclusion.
  • identifying and evaluating these unstated assumptions is crucial for answering critical reasoning questions effectively.
  • the process of strengthening or weakening an argument in gmat critical reasoning questions revolves around addressing these unstated assumptions.
chapters
00:00
introduction to critical reasoning
00:19
understanding argument structure
01:23
deductive vs. inductive reasoning
01:49
the role of unstated assumptions