Week 1 readings

30 flashcards covering core concepts from the Week 1 notes on critical thinking and creativity, including definitions, the fourfold path, metacognition, CRT, and teaching implications.

How is critical thinking defined?

Thinking clearly and rationally; precisely and systematically; following rules of logic and scientific reasoning.

How is creativity defined?

Coming up with new and useful ideas; generating alternative possibilities.

What does the book say about the importance of critical thinking vs creativity?

They are equally important; creativity generates ideas, critical thinking evaluates and improves them.

What is a domain-general thinking skill?

Critical thinking; essential across careers for communication, decision-making, analysis, and problem-solving; supports self-reflection and personal growth.

What Socrates quote highlights self-reflection?

"The unexamined life is not worth living."

How does critical thinking relate to science and democracy?

Underpins rational design of experiments and theory testing; enables rational appraisal of social/political issues and avoidance of biases.

What is a common misconception about critical thinking?

That it is too confrontational or destructive.

What is the rebuttal to the misconception that critical thinking is always confrontational?

It rejects bad ideas to pursue truth but can be constructive; does not require public denunciation.

What are factors that can make reasoning seem irrational in real life?

Self-interest, emotion, or relationships; emotions can bias reasoning.

What is the Fourfold Path intended to do?

Turn thinking into a habit; provide a simple, practical method for analysis.

What is Step 1 of the fourfold path?

What does it mean?

What is Step 2 of the fourfold path?

List reasons for and against the claim; count; consider counterexamples; assess relevance and consequences; seek additional information.

What is Step 3 of the fourfold path?

How is it related to other things? Connect concepts; refine definitions; give examples.

What is Step 4 of the fourfold path?

What are the major reasons and objections? Evaluate; consider alternatives and similar cases.

Name one attitude that supports good thinking.

Independence of thought.

What are the four attitudes that support good thinking?

Independence of thought; Open-mindedness; Cool-headedness/impartiality; Analytical and reflective attitude.

What is the practical benefit of the fourfold path?

It makes you a more sophisticated, systematic, and creative thinker in everyday life.

How is the fourfold path applied to eating meat (animals) in the notes?

Step 1 clarify what 'animals' means; Step 2 list arguments for/against; Step 3 consider implications; Step 4 explore alternatives like stem cell meat.

What is metacognition?

Thinking about one’s own thinking; monitoring and controlling thinking.

What are the components of metacognitive competence (Joe Lau)?

Meta-conceptions; General knowledge about cognitive processes; Meta self-knowledge; Self-regulation.

What does the CRT measure?

The ability to suppress an intuitive but wrong answer and think more reflectively.

What are the three CRT questions and their standard answers?

Bat and ball: ball costs $0.05; widgets: 5 minutes; lily pads: 47 days.

What is the purpose of CRT beyond entertainment?

To measure reflective thinking and compare averages across populations.

What does C01 define critical thinking as?

The ability to think clearly and rationally about what to do or believe, including reflection and independent thinking.

What does C01 say critical thinking is not?

Not simply accumulating information; not the same as being merely argumentative or negative.

Why is critical thinking important in education?

It is a domain-general skill useful across fields and in a fast-changing information economy.

Name one of the six key lessons for teaching critical thinking (C04).

Acquiring expertise is hard.

What does C04 say about diagramming arguments?

Diagramming arguments promotes skill.

What is a bias related to teaching critical thinking discussed in C04?

Belief preservation; students tend to cling to beliefs even in the face of evidence.

What is emphasized about habit formation in critical thinking?

Thinking well must be practiced, habitual, and integrated into daily life.