Evaluating Claims

Scientific Reasoning What are the tools of scientific reasoning? “FiLCHeRs” – six tools for distinguishing science from pseudoscience

#1 - Falsifiability It must be possible to conceive of evidence that would prove the claim false Which of the 7 Guidelines for Critical Thinking does #1 sound like?

Examples of “falsifiability” Online Learning Module More links -

#2 - Logic Any argument offered as evidence in support of any claim must be sound. Which of the 7 Guidelines for Critical Thinking does #2 sound like? Example - Turkish admiral Piri Re'is map of the world

#3 - Comprehensiveness The evidence offered in support of any claim must be exhaustive -- that is all of the available evidence must be considered. Which of the 7 Guidelines for Critical Thinking does #3 sound like? Example – Psychics and their predictions

#4 - Honesty The evidence offered in support of any claim must be evaluated without self- deception. Which of the 7 Guidelines for Critical Thinking does #4 sound like?

Example of Honesty (no self-deception)

#5 - Replicability It is necessary for the evidence to be repeated in subsequent experiments or trials. Which of the 7 Guidelines for Critical Thinking does #5 sound like? Example - ESP

#6 - Sufficiency The evidence offered in support of any claim must be adequate to establish the truth of that claim Which of the 7 Guidelines for Critical Thinking does #6 sound like? Example – If you were abducted by a UFO, how would you prove it?

Summary of “FiLCHeRs” The first three rules of FiLCHeRS: -- falsifiability, logic, and comprehensiveness -- are all logically necessary rules of evidential reasoning. The last three rules of FiLCHeRS -- honesty, replicability, and sufficiency -- are all pragmatically necessary rules of evidential reasoning.

Professional Skeptics James Randi Video of James Randi in Australia testing water diviners and dowsers - How does James Randi exemplify the 7 Guidelines for Critical Thinking? - How does water divining exemplify the 10 Characteristics of Pseudoscience - How does James Randi’s test of water divining exemplify 6 Tools of Scientific Reasoning?