Critical Analysis
• a method used in philosophy to assess philosophical positions.
• not an expression of an emotion
not: I like this, I hate this, I think this is wonderful.
• a careful form of reasoning that proceeds in two or more steps:
1. sympathetic statement of position
• note good points
2. a specific point of criticism
• shows a difficulty
3. (a) to defend the position
• show how difficulty can be removed
e.g., remove an item from position
add a new item to position
(b) if you do not wish to defend the position, then strengthen step 2 to show why the criticism is such a problem