Ch. 1 - Critical Thinking & Logic Mastery

Socratic Method

• Breaking an idea into its key components and always questioning it

• Challenges the status quo

Critical Thinking

• Ability to think about connected ideas thoroughly and independently based on evidence

• Objective and fair evaluation of an argument

• Allows for growth out of inefficient systems

What is critical thinking NOT?

• Making an idea look good/bad

• Criticizing things

Assumptions

Unexamined beliefs that we build ideas on

Emotions

• Have both positive and negative influences

• We should NOT discard of emotions altogether; it can enhance the identification and process of critical thinking

Language

How ideas are articulated

Arguments

• Conclusions

• Well-reasoned list of assumptions and premises

Fallacies

• Conclusions made with unsound logic

• The way there, not the actual ending itself (some fallacies can lead to the right conclusion)

Logic

Structured thinking that helps evaluate a problem

Problem solving

Practical application of a devised solution