Constructing Modus Tollens Inferences with Content-Based Propositions

For a 33-year-old adult focusing on 'Constructing Modus Tollens Inferences with Content-Based Propositions,' the developmental approach must leverage their existing cognitive sophistication and preference for practical, relevant, and self-directed learning. The chosen primary tool, 'Think Again: How to Reason and Argue' from Duke University via Coursera, is a world-class offering for several reasons:

1. Age-Appropriateness & Cognitive Leverage: At 33, individuals thrive on challenges that connect directly to real-world applications. This course is designed for university-level students and professionals, meaning it uses complex, content-rich propositions relevant to everyday decision-making, professional ethics, and public discourse, rather than simplistic abstract symbols. It respects the adult learner's capacity for complex reasoning and motivation for practical utility.
2. Active Construction Emphasis: The course goes beyond merely identifying logical forms. It provides frameworks and guided exercises for constructing valid arguments, including Modus Tollens, using real-world scenarios. This directly addresses the 'constructing' aspect of the topic, requiring the learner to apply the rule of inference to novel content.
3. Self-Directed & Interactive Learning: As an online course, it allows for self-paced learning, crucial for busy adults. Its interactive quizzes, peer-graded assignments, and discussion forums provide immediate feedback and opportunities to test and refine argument construction skills with diverse content-based examples, which is significantly more effective than passive consumption.
4. Expert Pedagogy: Taught by university professors, the content is rigorously structured, pedagogically sound, and grounded in the principles of formal logic while remaining accessible and engaging with real-world applications.

Implementation Protocol:

1. Enrollment: The individual enrolls in the 'Think Again: How to Reason and Argue' course on Coursera. While an audit track might be available, purchasing the certificate track is recommended for full access to graded assignments and peer feedback, which are vital for actively constructing inferences.
2. Structured Engagement: Allocate 3-5 hours per week to engage with the course material, including video lectures, readings, and exercises. Emphasize completing all quizzes and assignments, especially those requiring argument construction.
3. Active Practice: As the course introduces Modus Tollens, consciously seek out examples in daily life (news articles, debates, personal conversations) and attempt to formalize them into Modus Tollens arguments. Use the supplementary notebook and pen to diagram these arguments, identifying the conditional statement, the denial of the consequent, and the resulting conclusion.
4. Reflective Journaling: Maintain a brief weekly journal noting specific instances where Modus Tollens was applied, either in analyzing existing arguments or constructing new ones. Reflect on the challenges encountered and how the course material helped overcome them.
5. Discussion and Peer Feedback: Actively participate in course discussion forums. Explaining one's constructed arguments to others and critically evaluating peer submissions reinforces understanding and improves construction skills with varied content.