From the course: Critical Thinking for Software Engineers: Practical Approach to Complex Software Engineering Challenges
Join today to access over 24,900 courses taught by industry experts.
Identify logical fallacies
From the course: Critical Thinking for Software Engineers: Practical Approach to Complex Software Engineering Challenges
Identify logical fallacies
- A fallacy is a mistaken belief, especially one based on unsound arguments or reasoning. In computer science, this concept is crucial as logical fallacies can lead to flawed algorithms or systems that behave unpredictably. Being able to identify these fallacies helps prevent errors and program logic, ensuring that software functions as intended and is robust against various inputs and conditions. In this lesson, you'll be able to identify common logical fallacies in technical arguments. Some of the fallacies you're most likely to encounter are affirming the consequent. This fallacy is like saying if Charlie is a human, then Charlie is a mammal. Charlie is a mammal, therefore Charlie must be human. But Charlie is actually a dog. You'll most often encounter this when hearing that a technology must be inefficient or fast because it has some attribute often possessed by fast or efficient technologies. Another fallacy you often hear with the same arguments is denying the antecedent. If I…
Practice while you learn with exercise files
Download the files the instructor uses to teach the course. Follow along and learn by watching, listening and practicing.
Download courses and learn on the go
Watch courses on your mobile device without an internet connection. Download courses using your iOS or Android LinkedIn Learning app.