Chapter 14 generalizations

In the discussion of generalizing this week I found that it connects directly to everyday life.  Generalizing is the connection of our knowledge of the world with the argument at hand.   “To generalize is to make an argument.”  (Epstein, 280)  Because we expect generalizations we have to assume that they all are not correct.  Every time we generalize we must admit that there is always an exception or a chance that the generalization will be true.  To compare generalizing to an argument we need to see how its premises will be the most likely outcome (the generalization).     I realized that the most direct and important way to make sure a premise of a generalization is true is by looking at it.  Maybe you might need to do some research to make sure it was true, but based on our own experiences we gain a great tool to determine if the premises are true or not.

What I loved

My favorite thing about this class was a combination of outside resources that were available and the main text.  I really liked the websites that gave strong examples about everything we discuss in this class.  It almost could serve as a secondary to the main text by Epstein.  This book was one of the best parts of class as it served all main ideas and concepts to us in easy to understand language.  Every week we would read deeper into the text providing us with new ideas that we would relate to our lives.  My favorite part of this book was the way it was written and the language Epstein uses.  My least favorite part of this class was the many intricate parts to concepts and ideas that we had to learn.  I had trouble taking in the many different ways to look at such things as the many fallacy types.     

What I learned

 There is so much that I have learned from this semester at San Jose State.  After changing my major to Public Relations I realized I should learn how to communicate better.  I figured that working in a public relations firm would require good group communication skills.  I joined this class hoping to learn these skills and apply them to my future education.  This class taught me many different ideas and topics about arguments, group communication and the English language itself.  I realized that in daily talk I used many of the topics that this book addresses.  I found myself using vague sentences or fallacies in my arguments before taking this class.  However, I really enjoyed the main book from this semester Critical Thinking by Richard L. Epstein.  His way of writing was very enjoyable for different reasons.  For instance, he would explain topics in words that I could understand.  He sometimes wrote informally, but defiantly made perfect sense when explaining his ideas.