1. Ideological Reasoning Think “Top Down”
Chapter 13
Ideological Reasoning
Think “Top Down”

2. “Top Down” Thinking: Recognizing Ideological Reasoning
Ideological reasoning is an important and widely used way of thinking
It offers many benefits, such as in the practice of law
This mode of reasoning comes into play:
Whenever religion, ethics, politics, rules, regulations or policy matters are the focus
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3. “Top Down” Thinking: Recognizing Ideological Reasoning
The Media and Politically Engendered Cynicism
We must learn to appreciate ideological reasoning for what it can achieve
And be able to apply it and evaluate it objectively and fair-mindedly
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4. “Top Down” Thinking: Recognizing Ideological Reasoning
Ideologically based reasoning is pervasive and important in human affairs
We must learn to recognize ideological reasoning so we can distinguish it from:
Comparative reasoning and from empirical reasoning
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5. “Top Down” Thinking: Recognizing Ideological Reasoning
Examples of Ideological Reasoning
Immigration Policy
God’s Existence
Human Nature
Three Features of Ideological Reasoning
(1) It is deductive in character;
(2) the ideological premises are axiomatic;
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6. “Top Down” Thinking: Recognizing Ideological Reasoning
(3) the argument maker takes the ideology to be true more or less on faith
The use of the term ideological is meant to be value-neutral
Ideological Reasoning Is Deductive in Character
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7. “Top Down” Thinking: Recognizing Ideological Reasoning
For the most part, the conclusions of ideological arguments are presented as certainties
Not all deductive reasoning is ideological
Ideological Premises Are Axiomatic
The Argument Maker Takes the Ideological Absolutes on Faith
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8. “Top Down” Thinking: Recognizing Ideological Reasoning
Ideological thinkers consistently regard their absolutes as immune from disconfirmation
Our level of faith and conviction is no measure of the truth of the beliefs we hold so dear
The importance of applying the critical thinking skill of self-regulation
Guided by the habit of truth-seeking and of skepticism
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10. Ideological Reasoning or “Top-Down Thinking”
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11. Applying the Test of Truthfulness of the Premises
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12. Evaluating Ideological Reasoning
Are the Ideological Premises True?
The test for truthfulness of the premises is the most important test for ideological reasoning
To apply this test, one must consider all the premises one after another
Logical Strength and Ideological Belief Systems
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13. Evaluating Ideological Reasoning
Ideological arguments, which are often the product of deductive reasoning:
Generally display reasonable levels of logical strength
Ideological belief structures often contain internal contradictions
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14. Evaluating Ideological Reasoning
Relevancy, Non-Circularity, and Ideological Reasoning
The Test of Relevancy, tends to yield unambiguously positive results
Our fourth test, non-circularity, produces consternation as well
They are not circular for the most part
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15. Uses, Benefits, and Risks of Ideological Reasoning
Group Project: Conflicting Principles and Conflicting Positions
Value Judgments
Group Exercise: Why Do We Believe What We Believe?
The Courage to Challenge the Ideologue
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