A-Level Thinking Skills - Problem Solving Core

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Necessary vs. Sufficient Conditions

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A **Necessary Condition** must be present for an event to occur (e.g., oxygen is necessary for fire), but its presence doesn't guarantee the event. A **Sufficient Condition** guarantees the event will occur (e.g., being decapitated is sufficient for death), but other factors might also cause it.

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Identifying the Structure of Arguments

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To recognize or establish the identity of someone or something. From Latin idem meaning “the same,” via Late Latin identificare (“to make identical”), related to identitas (“identity”).

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Handling Search Spaces

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When faced with a problem involving many options (e.g., scheduling, codes), systematically eliminate impossibilities to reduce the **Search Space**. Combine constraints (like 'Person A cannot work Tuesday' and 'Person B must work with Person A') to narrow down valid scenarios quickly.

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Reliability of Evidence

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Assess reliability by evaluating the **Source** (expertise, past accuracy, reputation), **Vested Interest** (bias towards a specific outcome), and **Neutrality**. A source with a strong motive to lie is generally unreliable, even if their claims seem plausible on the surface.

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Equivocation

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A flaw that occurs when a key word or phrase is used with more than one meaning in an argument. For example: 'Feathers are light; light things cannot be dark; therefore, feathers cannot be dark.' The word 'light' shifts from meaning 'not heavy' to 'not dark'.