Speed-reading programmes have been "all the rage", as they have promised to increase your ability to read and comprehend at incredible levels. Some have even claimed to increase their reading speed to 30 000 words per minute. Research, however, has found that their actual reading speed is not nearly this high, and that their comprehension of what they read "tested miserably". Which principle of critical thinking is this problematic for?
A)Replicability
B)Extraordinary claims
C)Occam's Razor
D)Falsifiability

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The principle of extraordinary claims states that extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. The claim of increasing reading speed to 30,000 words per minute is an extraordinary claim that requires extraordinary evidence to be credible. The fact that research has found that the actual reading speed is not nearly this high, and that their comprehension is poor, suggests that the claims are not credible, making this problematic for the principle of extraordinary claims.

Speed-Reading Programmes Have Been "All the Rage", as They Have