Critical Thinking

CSI1241 Systems Analysis: Critical Thinking


  • Define critical thinking.

  • Describe systems for learning critical thinking.

  • Construct an argument.

  • Identify common logical fallacies in arguments.

Importance of Critical Thinking

  • Employers value critical thinkers and team players.

  • Analysis relates to problem-solving and lateral thinking.

  • Critical thinking can potentially be taught.


  • What is Critical Thinking?

  • Critical thinkers:

    • Separate fact from fiction.

    • Transfer knowledge across contexts.

    • Ask relevant questions.

    • Challenge assumptions.

    • Value evidence over authority.

    • Propose alternative conclusions.

    • Avoid hasty moral judgments.

    • Challenge labels.

    • Embrace change.

    • Avoid immediate emotional responses.

    • Make rational decisions.

    • Assess information quality and relevance.

The Kolb Cycle

  • Stages of Learning:

    • Active Concrete Experience.

    • Reflective Observation.

    • Abstract Conceptualization.

    • Active Experimentation.

Understanding Arguments

  • Representation of arguments can be done by:

    • Symbolic logic.

    • Diagrams (e.g., Venn diagrams).

    • Written statements.

  • An argument consists of:

    • Premises.

    • Reasons.

    • Conclusion.

Logic in Arguments

  • Deductive Logic: Draws conclusions from premises.

  • Example:

    • If all humans are mortal (premise), and Socrates is a human (premise), then Socrates is mortal (conclusion).

Common Issues in Logical Arguments

  • A logically true argument may not be factually true.

  • Arguments can be invalid or unsound if premises are false.

  • Example of Unsound Argument:

    • Premises: Cats are mammals. Dogs are mammals. Therefore, dogs are cats (invalid).

Simpson’s Paradox

  • Refers to a situation where a trend appears in several different groups of data but disappears or reverses when these groups are combined.

  • Example related to the American Civil Rights Act of 1964:

    • Voting data from Northern and Southern states showing differing support between Democrats and Republicans.

Types of Arguments (Siegel, 2009)


Common Logical Fallacies

  1. Conditional probability fallacies.

  2. Argument from fallacy.

  3. Appeal to probability.

  4. False dilemma.

  5. Argument ad hominem.

  6. Correlation implies causation.

  7. And many more.

Critical Thinking Skills

  • Types of problems according to de Bono (1969):

    • Logical problems (information processing).

    • Lateral problems (optimal current state).

    • Problems needing restructuring of information.

Mental Models

  • Mind can override intellect—ex: perception of lines of equal length.

Mental Exercise

  • Count the 'F's in:

    • FINISHED FILES ARE THE RESULT OF YEARS OF SCIENTIFIC STUDY COMBINED WITH THE EXPERIENCE OF MANY YEARS.

  • Most fail to find all six due to pronunciation.

Review Terms

  • Define:

    • Analysis.

    • Critical Thinking.

    • Lateral Thinking.

    • Premise.

    • Argument.