Critical Thinking Notes

The Essence of Critical Thinking

Every day we face numerous decisions, some small and others significant. Critical thinking is a powerful technique to improve our chances of making better choices by deconstructing situations and revealing hidden issues like bias and manipulation.

What is Critical Thinking?

Critical thinking involves subjecting available options to scrutiny and skepticism, eliminating everything but the most useful and reliable information, rather than simply choosing an answer because it feels right.

A Five-Step Process for Critical Thinking

Here's a five-step process to help solve problems using critical thinking:

1. Formulate Your Question

• Clearly define what you're looking for. This might not always be straightforward.

• Example: When considering a new diet, identify whether your goal is weight loss, better nutrition, or more energy.

• Having a clear view of your objective helps you sift through information effectively.

2. Gather Your Information

• Collect relevant information to weigh different options.

• Having a clear question helps you determine what information is relevant.

• Example: When deciding on a diet, seek advice from experts or gather testimonies from others.

3. Apply the Information

• Ask critical questions to analyze the information.

• Key Questions:

  • "What concepts are at work?"

  • "What assumptions exist?"

  • "Is my interpretation of the information logically sound?"

• Example: When considering an email promising millions, question the sender's truthfulness and the logic of winning any money.

4. Consider the Implications

• Think about the short-term and long-term consequences of your decisions, including unintended consequences.

• Example: A political candidate promising cheaper gas might lead to increased air pollution due to unrestricted gasoline use.

5. Explore Other Points of View

• Understand why others are drawn to opposing viewpoints.

• Even if you disagree, exploring different viewpoints helps evaluate your own choices and make more informed decisions.

• This exploration allows for a better understanding of alternatives and a re-evaluation of one's own choices.

Conclusion

This five-step process is a tool to improve decision-making and increase the number of positive choices. Critical thinking helps sift through information and find what is needed. By using critical thinking, we can make the world more reasonable.