Calling all Critical Thinkers

Druid · 28th August 2006, 03:06 AM

Hi all,

Do you consider yourself to be a Critical Thinker?

The Skeptic Express has put together a short interactive quiz designed to test your Critical Thinking Skills. You'll find it on our current homepage in the Critical Thinking links (top left hand corner)Critical Thinking Intercative Quiz

This quiz is based on the *A Level test for 17-18 yr old students set by OCR the organisation responsible for setting and marking student exam papers.

So why not have a go, it wont cost anything but a few moments of your time.

The Skeptic Express has its own forum and would appreciate (although not required) your feedback on the quiz i.e. what your score was, which question did you think was the hardest/easiest or anything else you wish to say about it.

Our Critical Thinking board is run by David Yates a teacher of *A/AS Level Critical Thinking and will happily discuss/help with any queries you have.

Please NOTE: This is NOT a recruitment drive for the forum. At the present my knowledge of Java is limited and I have not been able to set up the quiz to do the statisical analysis for me.
If you can help in this regard I would be most grateful. The quiz was created using the Hot Potatoe program.

Druid.

*A Level is the required level of education for students wishing to gain entry to University. Grades regarded as a Pass in any particular subject are usually A, B or C.

SusanB-M1 · 28th August 2006, 04:15 AM

I can't resist reading questionnaires and quizzes! So have just looked at it. I answered a few of the questions with what seemed to be the logical choice, but then the medical one did not have one I'd choose, so I stopped there. Might have another look later.

Ceritus · 28th August 2006, 05:16 AM

looks fun

asthmatic camel · 28th August 2006, 06:32 AM

77% Not too bad for an ignoramus. Not a perfect questionnaire but interesting. Thanks.

Jeff Corey · 28th August 2006, 06:33 AM

What is a "biro?" "Satarist"?

asthmatic camel · 28th August 2006, 06:47 AM

Originally Posted by Jeff Corey

What is a "biro?" "Satarist"?

And your score was?

Darat · 28th August 2006, 06:54 AM

Biro - English for ballpoint pen.
Satarist - Speeling mistake.

1 wrong - messed up on the sports question - probably because it was a sports question so my brain went into Homer-mode.

Gr8wight · 28th August 2006, 07:03 AM

A "biro" is a ball point pen.

I scored 80%

Yay me!

brodski · 28th August 2006, 07:04 AM

Originally Posted by Jeff Corey

What is a "biro?" "Satarist"?

The first is a ball point pen, the second a spelling or typographical error.

brodski · 28th August 2006, 07:05 AM

Originally Posted by brodski

The first is a ball point pen, the second a spelling or typographical error.

ETA: 9/10- David Bekham made me stupid.

Loss Leader · 28th August 2006, 07:09 AM

86% - primarily because I misread what one question was asking and I absolutely whiffed on the surgeon question.

But this seems about as good as the logic questions on my GRE and LSAT although, since those have been professionally normed, you should just steal from there.

Katana · 28th August 2006, 07:24 AM

80%

Believe it or not, I messed up on the tuberculosis question. Great start!

Druid · 28th August 2006, 07:31 AM

Thanks guys for your participation, I really appreciate it. I hope to have another similiar quiz running soon which was why we were hoping for the feedback, so we knew which parts to improve etc.

Dru.

sphenisc · 28th August 2006, 07:34 AM

The first time I did it, I got 86%, but the second time I got a 100%, which shows what a good teaching aid it is!!

SwissSkeptic · 28th August 2006, 07:35 AM

93%. Beckham sucks.

Dave1001 · 28th August 2006, 07:47 AM

Originally Posted by Druid

Hi all,

Do you consider yourself to be a Critical Thinker?

The Skeptic Express has put together a short interactive quiz designed to test your Critical Thinking Skills. You'll find it on our current homepage in the Critical Thinking links (top left hand corner)Critical Thinking Intercative Quiz

This quiz is based on the *A Level test for 17-18 yr old students set by OCR the organisation responsible for setting and marking student exam papers.

So why not have a go, it wont cost anything but a few moments of your time.

The Skeptic Express has its own forum and would appreciate (although not required) your feedback on the quiz i.e. what your score was, which question did you think was the hardest/easiest or anything else you wish to say about it.

Our Critical Thinking board is run by David Yates a teacher of *A/AS Level Critical Thinking and will happily discuss/help with any queries you have.

Please NOTE: This is NOT a recruitment drive for the forum. At the present my knowledge of Java is limited and I have not been able to set up the quiz to do the statisical analysis for me.
If you can help in this regard I would be most grateful. The quiz was created using the Hot Potatoe program.

Druid.

*A Level is the required level of education for students wishing to gain entry to University. Grades regarded as a Pass in any particular subject are usually A, B or C.

Great idea!

As an lsat tutor, I also recommend the logical reasoning section of the lsat to practice your criticial thinking skills. They are 25 problem, 35 minute, multiple choice section tests, as there's over 100 of them that have been released (2 to an exam).

Darat · 28th August 2006, 07:50 AM

Originally Posted by Druid

Thanks guys for your participation, I really appreciate it. I hope to have another similiar quiz running soon which was why we were hoping for the feedback, so we knew which parts to improve etc.

Dru.

Some general feedback - gone back through it to see what happens with wrong answers and in some of them you offer some really good feedback as to why the wrong answer is wrong - later on there seems to be a lot more that are just given as "not correct".

IXP · 28th August 2006, 07:58 AM

96%

I missed the ghost one, becuase I missed the sublety that a stated opionion is not an underlying ASSUMPTION.

I think the questions are quite good and fairly subtle, and I certainly agree with all of the best answers.

BTW: I think you should state somewhere that you should try again if you miss the first time, this is not obvious.

ixp

KingMerv00 · 28th August 2006, 08:22 AM

Thanks for reminding me of the LSATs. Jerk.

I got a low "A".

casebro · 28th August 2006, 08:36 AM

50%. With 7 minutes remaining. That just goes to show just how critically I DO think- I'm critical of his answers, some of which he judges me wrong on when I had thought beyond his box. Oh well, I guess he is equally critical of how I think, I'll give him 50% too.

Hmmm, does thinking 100% like somebody else make you a critical thinker? Or a 'like thinker'?

I can't compare this test to college entry tests, never took one. But my GED score would qualify me for Mensa, like everybody else here.

IXP · 28th August 2006, 09:37 AM

casebro,

Would you mind sharing with us which answers you think are incorrect?

IXP

Ali · 28th August 2006, 09:38 AM

Your test can be very much improved by including:
If you don't accept God you cannot be intelligent, no matter what your score on this or any other test is.

KingMerv00 · 28th August 2006, 09:46 AM

Originally Posted by Ali

Your test can be very much improved by including:
If you don't accept God you cannot be intelligent, no matter what your score on this or any other test is.

Duhh....me no understand.

*Hits self repeatedly with a fish.*

Druid · 28th August 2006, 09:54 AM

Originally Posted by KingMerv00

Duhh....me no understand.

*Hits self repeatedly with a fish.*

*Takes fish of KingMerv*

Give me a go cos I'm doing no better than you.

*hits self repeatedly with KingMerv's fish*

Dru.

brodski · 28th August 2006, 09:59 AM

Originally Posted by Ali

Your test can be very much improved by including:
If you don't accept God you cannot be intelligent, no matter what your score on this or any other test is.

Is the answer "false"?

It is, isn't it.

What do I win?

Ali · 28th August 2006, 10:01 AM

Originally Posted by KingMerv00

Duhh....me no understand.

*Hits self repeatedly with a fish.*

That's exactly what I mean: you need to think before you resort to hitting yourself with a fish.
What I don't understand is why many people resort to fish rather than take the first step to critical thinking.

KingMerv00 · 28th August 2006, 10:10 AM

Originally Posted by Ali

That's exactly what I mean: you need to think before you resort to hitting yourself with a fish.
What I don't understand is why many people resort to fish rather than take the first step to critical thinking.

Weird magic box make squiggles. Wishin me could read.

brodski · 28th August 2006, 10:14 AM

Originally Posted by Ali

That's exactly what I mean: you need to think before you resort to hitting yourself with a fish.
What I don't understand is why many people resort to fish rather than take the first step to critical thinking.

and that first step is?

Almo · 28th August 2006, 10:14 AM

I disagree with Question 4:

what happened to spoiler tags? I can't get them to work.

SwissSkeptic · 28th August 2006, 10:16 AM

Originally Posted by Ali

That's exactly what I mean: you need to think before you resort to hitting yourself with a fish.
What I don't understand is why many people resort to fish rather than take the first step to critical thinking.

Yay, I've got a new signature!

rudar · 28th August 2006, 10:47 AM

83%

I think the major flaw in the art-is-rubbish argument is that it extrapolates from N=1 expert opinion and N=1 lay opinion, but that wasn't one of the options...

And for the med school argument, there's an unstated assumption that physical skill can't be taught; if it can, none of the options really bolster the argument in favor of selecting by initial physical skill.

Druid · 28th August 2006, 10:48 AM

Originally Posted by Almo

But we don't call people who can do it geniuses, because everyone can.

But not everyone can bend a ball like Beckham.

Almo,

The quiz was designed by David Yates a teacher of A Level Critical Thinking at an Independant School in the UK.
Unfortunately David is not a member of this forum so may i invite you to raise your point with him directly on The Skeptic Express Forum.

You'll find it here.

I'm quite sure David will be happy to discuss your misgivings about said Question.

Druid.

SwissSkeptic · 28th August 2006, 10:51 AM

Originally Posted by Almo

what happened to spoiler tags? I can't get them to work.

They still work, you have to use a slash instead of backslash.

casebro · 28th August 2006, 11:47 AM

Originally Posted by IXP

casebro,

Would you mind sharing with us which answers you think are incorrect?

IXP

From scanning the above, I have a lot of wrong answers in common: the surgeons, (not all MD,s need to become surgeons, so what?) the beckman,(distinction seems to be whether genius should be rewarded, or if Beckman should be rewarded for his genius...) the art one also (art is in the heart of the beholder, so who can criticise anothers taste?) ghost one also, like IXP's reasoning. But I only got 10 questions- how did you guys score in smaller than 10% intervals?

KingMerv00 · 28th August 2006, 11:53 AM

Originally Posted by casebro

But I only got 10 questions- how did you guys score in smaller than 10% intervals?

You can make multiple guesses on the same question.

Druid · 28th August 2006, 12:14 PM

Originally Posted by Almo

I disagree with Question 4:

what happened to spoiler tags? I can't get them to work.

Almo,

David has read your comment and sent me this reply to post on his behalf.

On the Randi discussion board, a character called Almo disagrees with my explanation and believes that A is a correct answer to the Beckham question. His reason is:

"This assumes a certain meaning of the word "genius." I would argue that by definition, if Beckham is a genius, then his skill us unusual. People have to solve rather complex differential equations to keep their balance going up stairs. But we don't call people who can do it geniuses, because everyone can."

He is correct that genius has to be something that is rare. However, in order to make his argument, the author does not have to believe that sporting genius is as rare as any other type of genius. What he does have to believe is that genius should be consistently rewarded, which is why the answer is B rather than A.

Druid.

Darat · 28th August 2006, 12:30 PM

Originally Posted by rudar

...snip..

And for the med school argument, there's an unstated assumption that physical skill can't be taught; if it can, none of the options really bolster the argument in favor of selecting by initial physical skill.

That was the one that had me most puzzled (but I did get right).

John Jackson · 28th August 2006, 12:50 PM

I got 80%

I thought it was generally a really good test but I too disagreed with a couple of questions.

Question 4 (Beckham) - the answer was: "We should be consistent in the way in which we reward exceptional intelligence."

Erm, no intelligence is required to be great at football. Perhaps 'ability' should have been used instead of 'intelligence'?

Question 5 (Medical) - too much ambiguity in the question regarding 'doctors' and 'surgeons'.

Question 6 - I just got plain wrong.

I think a problem here is that if this is the level at which students are introduced to critical thinking then it's not surprising that they find it difficult.

Is there not a GSCE level that could be used as a gentler introduction to the topic?

Darat · 28th August 2006, 12:55 PM

By the way Druid don't forget to add your site to our links section.

Druid · 28th August 2006, 01:15 PM

Originally Posted by Darat

By the way Druid don't forget to add your site to our links section.

Thanks Darat, The Skeptic Express is already in your learning resources links section.

All we want now is a * beside our name

Druid.

28th August 2006, 03:06 AM	#1
Druid Student Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 26	Calling all Critical Thinkers Hi all, Do you consider yourself to be a Critical Thinker? The Skeptic Express has put together a short interactive quiz designed to test your Critical Thinking Skills. You'll find it on our current homepage in the Critical Thinking links (top left hand corner)Critical Thinking Intercative Quiz This quiz is based on the A Level test for 17-18 yr old students set by OCR the organisation responsible for setting and marking student exam papers. So why not have a go, it wont cost anything but a few moments of your time. The Skeptic Express has its own forum and would appreciate (although not required) your feedback on the quiz i.e. what your score was, which question did you think was the hardest/easiest or anything else you wish to say about it. Our Critical Thinking board is run by David Yates a teacher of A/AS Level Critical Thinking and will happily discuss/help with any queries you have. Please NOTE: This is NOT a recruitment drive for the forum. At the present my knowledge of Java is limited and I have not been able to set up the quiz to do the statisical analysis for me. If you can help in this regard I would be most grateful. The quiz was created using the Hot Potatoe program. Druid. *A Level is the required level of education for students wishing to gain entry to University. Grades regarded as a Pass in any particular subject are usually A, B or C.
Druid Student Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 26	__________________ www.theskepticexpress.com A credulous mind . . . finds most delight in believing strange things, and the stranger they are the easier they pass with him; but never regards those that are plain and feasible; for every man can believe such. Samuel Butler, Characters (1667-9) Last edited by Druid; 28th August 2006 at 03:09 AM.

28th August 2006, 05:16 AM	#3
Ceritus Guest Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 647	looks fun
Ceritus Guest Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 647

28th August 2006, 06:32 AM	#4
asthmatic camel Illuminator Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 4,510	77% Not too bad for an ignoramus. Not a perfect questionnaire but interesting. Thanks.
	Last edited by asthmatic camel; 28th August 2006 at 06:39 AM. Reason: Cheap keyboard

28th August 2006, 06:54 AM	#7
Darat Lackey Administrator Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: South East, UK Posts: 101,638	Biro - English for ballpoint pen. Satarist - Speeling mistake. 1 wrong - messed up on the sports question - probably because it was a sports question so my brain went into Homer-mode.
	__________________ I wish I knew how to quit you

28th August 2006, 07:03 AM	#8
Gr8wight red-shirted crewman Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 1,661	A "biro" is a ball point pen. I scored 80% Yay me!
	__________________ Aurora Walking Vacation "A point of view can be a dangerous luxury when substituted for insight and understanding."--Marshall McLuhan

28th August 2006, 04:15 AM	#2
SusanB-M1 Incurable Optimist Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 3,766	I can't resist reading questionnaires and quizzes! So have just looked at it. I answered a few of the questions with what seemed to be the logical choice, but then the medical one did not have one I'd choose, so I stopped there. Might have another look later.

28th August 2006, 06:33 AM	#5
Jeff Corey New York Skeptic Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 13,714	What is a "biro?" "Satarist"?

28th August 2006, 06:47 AM	#6
asthmatic camel Illuminator Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 4,510	Originally Posted by Jeff Corey What is a "biro?" "Satarist"? And your score was?

28th August 2006, 07:04 AM	#9
brodski Tea-Time toad Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 15,516	Originally Posted by Jeff Corey What is a "biro?" "Satarist"? The first is a ball point pen, the second a spelling or typographical error.
brodski Tea-Time toad Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 15,516

28th August 2006, 07:05 AM	#10
brodski Tea-Time toad Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 15,516	Originally Posted by brodski The first is a ball point pen, the second a spelling or typographical error. ETA: 9/10- David Bekham made me stupid.
brodski Tea-Time toad Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 15,516

28th August 2006, 07:09 AM	#11
Loss Leader I would save the receptionist. Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 27,909	86% - primarily because I misread what one question was asking and I absolutely whiffed on the surgeon question. But this seems about as good as the logic questions on my GRE and LSAT although, since those have been professionally normed, you should just steal from there.
	__________________ I have the honor to be Your Obdt. S^t L. Leader

28th August 2006, 07:24 AM	#12
Katana Illuminator Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 4,812	80% Believe it or not, I messed up on the tuberculosis question. Great start!
Katana Illuminator Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 4,812

28th August 2006, 07:31 AM	#13
Druid Student Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 26	Thanks guys for your participation, I really appreciate it. I hope to have another similiar quiz running soon which was why we were hoping for the feedback, so we knew which parts to improve etc. Dru.
Druid Student Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 26	__________________ www.theskepticexpress.com A credulous mind . . . finds most delight in believing strange things, and the stranger they are the easier they pass with him; but never regards those that are plain and feasible; for every man can believe such. Samuel Butler, Characters (1667-9)

28th August 2006, 07:34 AM	#14
sphenisc Philosopher Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,709	The first time I did it, I got 86%, but the second time I got a 100%, which shows what a good teaching aid it is!!
sphenisc Philosopher Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,709

28th August 2006, 07:35 AM	#15
SwissSkeptic Critical Thinker Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 390	Thanks Druid, nice quiz 93%. Beckham sucks.
	__________________ You need to think before you resort to hitting yourself with a fish. -Ali

28th August 2006, 07:47 AM	#16
Dave1001 Illuminator Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 3,704	Originally Posted by Druid Hi all, Do you consider yourself to be a Critical Thinker? The Skeptic Express has put together a short interactive quiz designed to test your Critical Thinking Skills. You'll find it on our current homepage in the Critical Thinking links (top left hand corner)Critical Thinking Intercative Quiz This quiz is based on the A Level test for 17-18 yr old students set by OCR the organisation responsible for setting and marking student exam papers. So why not have a go, it wont cost anything but a few moments of your time. The Skeptic Express has its own forum and would appreciate (although not required) your feedback on the quiz i.e. what your score was, which question did you think was the hardest/easiest or anything else you wish to say about it. Our Critical Thinking board is run by David Yates a teacher of A/AS Level Critical Thinking and will happily discuss/help with any queries you have. Please NOTE: This is NOT a recruitment drive for the forum. At the present my knowledge of Java is limited and I have not been able to set up the quiz to do the statisical analysis for me. If you can help in this regard I would be most grateful. The quiz was created using the Hot Potatoe program. Druid. *A Level is the required level of education for students wishing to gain entry to University. Grades regarded as a Pass in any particular subject are usually A, B or C. Great idea! As an lsat tutor, I also recommend the logical reasoning section of the lsat to practice your criticial thinking skills. They are 25 problem, 35 minute, multiple choice section tests, as there's over 100 of them that have been released (2 to an exam).
Dave1001 Illuminator Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 3,704

28th August 2006, 07:50 AM	#17
Darat Lackey Administrator Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: South East, UK Posts: 101,638	Originally Posted by Druid Thanks guys for your participation, I really appreciate it. I hope to have another similiar quiz running soon which was why we were hoping for the feedback, so we knew which parts to improve etc. Dru. Some general feedback - gone back through it to see what happens with wrong answers and in some of them you offer some really good feedback as to why the wrong answer is wrong - later on there seems to be a lot more that are just given as "not correct".
	__________________ I wish I knew how to quit you

28th August 2006, 07:58 AM	#18
IXP Graduate Poster Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,395	96% I missed the ghost one, becuase I missed the sublety that a stated opionion is not an underlying ASSUMPTION. I think the questions are quite good and fairly subtle, and I certainly agree with all of the best answers. BTW: I think you should state somewhere that you should try again if you miss the first time, this is not obvious. ixp
IXP Graduate Poster Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,395	__________________ "When reason sleeps, monsters are produced" -- Goya, title of etching that is my avatar

28th August 2006, 08:22 AM	#19
KingMerv00 Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 14,458	Thanks for reminding me of the LSATs. Jerk. I got a low "A".

28th August 2006, 08:36 AM	#20
casebro Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 19,396	50%. With 7 minutes remaining. That just goes to show just how critically I DO think- I'm critical of his answers, some of which he judges me wrong on when I had thought beyond his box. Oh well, I guess he is equally critical of how I think, I'll give him 50% too. Hmmm, does thinking 100% like somebody else make you a critical thinker? Or a 'like thinker'? I can't compare this test to college entry tests, never took one. But my GED score would qualify me for Mensa, like everybody else here.
	__________________ Any sufficiently advanced idea is indistinguishable from idiocy to those who don't actually understanding the concept.

28th August 2006, 09:37 AM	#21
IXP Graduate Poster Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,395	casebro, Would you mind sharing with us which answers you think are incorrect? IXP
IXP Graduate Poster Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,395	__________________ "When reason sleeps, monsters are produced" -- Goya, title of etching that is my avatar

28th August 2006, 09:38 AM	#22
Ali Muse Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 679	Your test can be very much improved by including: If you don't accept God you cannot be intelligent, no matter what your score on this or any other test is.
Ali Muse Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 679

28th August 2006, 09:46 AM	#23
KingMerv00 Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 14,458	Originally Posted by Ali Your test can be very much improved by including: If you don't accept God you cannot be intelligent, no matter what your score on this or any other test is. Duhh....me no understand. Hits self repeatedly with a fish.

28th August 2006, 09:54 AM	#24
Druid Student Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 26	Originally Posted by KingMerv00 Duhh....me no understand. Hits self repeatedly with a fish. Takes fish of KingMerv Give me a go cos I'm doing no better than you. hits self repeatedly with KingMerv's fish Dru.
Druid Student Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 26	__________________ www.theskepticexpress.com A credulous mind . . . finds most delight in believing strange things, and the stranger they are the easier they pass with him; but never regards those that are plain and feasible; for every man can believe such. Samuel Butler, Characters (1667-9)

28th August 2006, 09:59 AM	#25
brodski Tea-Time toad Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 15,516	Originally Posted by Ali Your test can be very much improved by including: If you don't accept God you cannot be intelligent, no matter what your score on this or any other test is. Is the answer "false"? It is, isn't it. What do I win?
brodski Tea-Time toad Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 15,516

28th August 2006, 10:01 AM	#26
Ali Muse Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 679	Originally Posted by KingMerv00 Duhh....me no understand. Hits self repeatedly with a fish. That's exactly what I mean: you need to think before you resort to hitting yourself with a fish. What I don't understand is why many people resort to fish rather than take the first step to critical thinking.
Ali Muse Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 679

28th August 2006, 10:10 AM	#27
KingMerv00 Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 14,458	Originally Posted by Ali That's exactly what I mean: you need to think before you resort to hitting yourself with a fish. What I don't understand is why many people resort to fish rather than take the first step to critical thinking. Weird magic box make squiggles. Wishin me could read.

28th August 2006, 10:14 AM	#28
brodski Tea-Time toad Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 15,516	Originally Posted by Ali That's exactly what I mean: you need to think before you resort to hitting yourself with a fish. What I don't understand is why many people resort to fish rather than take the first step to critical thinking. and that first step is?
brodski Tea-Time toad Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 15,516

28th August 2006, 10:14 AM	#29
Almo Masterblazer Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Montreal, Quebec Posts: 6,843	I disagree with Question 4: Quote: A is not an assumption. The author thinks that Beckham should be well paid because he is a genius, not because his skill is unusual. This assumes a certain meaning of the word "genius." I would argue that by definition, if Beckham is a genius, then his skill us unusual. People have to solve rather complex differential equations to keep their balance going up stairs. But we don't call people who can do it geniuses, because everyone can. what happened to spoiler tags? I can't get them to work.
	__________________ Almo! My Music Blog "No society ever collapsed because the poor had too much." — LeftySergeant "It may be that there is no body really at rest, to which the places and motions of others may be referred." –Issac Newton in the Principia Last edited by Darat; 28th August 2006 at 12:29 PM. Reason: Corrected the spoiler tag

28th August 2006, 10:16 AM	#30
SwissSkeptic Critical Thinker Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 390	Originally Posted by Ali That's exactly what I mean: you need to think before you resort to hitting yourself with a fish. What I don't understand is why many people resort to fish rather than take the first step to critical thinking. Yay, I've got a new signature!
	__________________ You need to think before you resort to hitting yourself with a fish. -Ali

28th August 2006, 10:47 AM	#31
rudar Thinker Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 148	83% I think the major flaw in the art-is-rubbish argument is that it extrapolates from N=1 expert opinion and N=1 lay opinion, but that wasn't one of the options... And for the med school argument, there's an unstated assumption that physical skill can't be taught; if it can, none of the options really bolster the argument in favor of selecting by initial physical skill.
rudar Thinker Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 148

28th August 2006, 10:48 AM	#32
Druid Student Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 26	Originally Posted by Almo But we don't call people who can do it geniuses, because everyone can. But not everyone can bend a ball like Beckham. Almo, The quiz was designed by David Yates a teacher of A Level Critical Thinking at an Independant School in the UK. Unfortunately David is not a member of this forum so may i invite you to raise your point with him directly on The Skeptic Express Forum. You'll find it here. I'm quite sure David will be happy to discuss your misgivings about said Question. Druid.
Druid Student Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 26	__________________ www.theskepticexpress.com A credulous mind . . . finds most delight in believing strange things, and the stranger they are the easier they pass with him; but never regards those that are plain and feasible; for every man can believe such. Samuel Butler, Characters (1667-9)

28th August 2006, 10:51 AM	#33
SwissSkeptic Critical Thinker Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 390	Originally Posted by Almo what happened to spoiler tags? I can't get them to work. They still work, you have to use a slash instead of backslash.
	__________________ You need to think before you resort to hitting yourself with a fish. -Ali

28th August 2006, 11:47 AM	#34
casebro Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 19,396	Originally Posted by IXP casebro, Would you mind sharing with us which answers you think are incorrect? IXP From scanning the above, I have a lot of wrong answers in common: the surgeons, (not all MD,s need to become surgeons, so what?) the beckman,(distinction seems to be whether genius should be rewarded, or if Beckman should be rewarded for his genius...) the art one also (art is in the heart of the beholder, so who can criticise anothers taste?) ghost one also, like IXP's reasoning. But I only got 10 questions- how did you guys score in smaller than 10% intervals?
	__________________ Any sufficiently advanced idea is indistinguishable from idiocy to those who don't actually understanding the concept.

28th August 2006, 11:53 AM	#35
KingMerv00 Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 14,458	Originally Posted by casebro But I only got 10 questions- how did you guys score in smaller than 10% intervals? You can make multiple guesses on the same question.