University of Ottawa PHI 1101A00 Course Outline

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PHI 1101A00
Reasoning and Critical Thinking
SPRING/SUMMER 2026
PROFESSOR:
Gervais Désiré YAMB, PhD
UNIVERSITÉ D’OTTAWA/UNIVERSITY OF
OTTAWA
FACULTÉ DES ARTS/FACULTY OF ARTS
DÉPARTEMENT DE PHILOSOPHIE/PHILOSOPHY DEPARTMENT

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Outline presentation, structure, course reading and assessment method
What is Critical Thinking ?
What is critical thinking and reasoning youtube - Recherche Google

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Reading: Principles of Reasoning (PofR), Introduction, pp. 1-4
Thinking and the History of Mankind
Our species (Humans) is characterized by a multifunctional whole
brain (the higher brain: consciousness, language and voluntary
movement) and the lower brain (spontaneous breathing and
pupillary reflexes).

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Reading: Principles of Reasoning (PofR), Introduction, pp. 1-4
Thinking and the History of Mankind
Our whole brain gave our species an evolutionary advantage that
outweighed the heavy costs involved in childrearing, allowing us to
multiply and spread across the earth (PofR, p. 1).
Our species has done well at least partly because we can think.

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Reading: Principles of Reasoning (PofR), Introduction, pp. 1-4
Thinking and the History of Mankind
But what does it mean “we can think”?
“Thinking comes naturally to us, however, as naturally as breathing, walking, or running. So
it is not obvious at first glance that there is anything to be gained from studying reasoning.
A little reflection, however, suggests that there might be. For although everyone breathes and
most of us run at one time or another, we also know from experience that attentive practice
and training can make us better at these things. Singers, trumpet players, and swimmers have
much to gain from learning how to breathe in the way that best serves their purposes, and
champion sprinters have invariably spent a great deal of time on the mechanics of running. In
both cases, improved performance results from practice, methodical observation, and
adjustment” (PofR, p. 1).