Critical Thinking

Question 1

What are all different types of thinking skills?

Answer 1

1. Remembering and recalling - retrieving information from memory.
2. Understanding - interpreting, constructing, meaning
3. Applying - using learned material in new situations
4. Analyzing - breaking materials into key pieces and seeing how they relate to one another to an overall structure or purpose.
5. Evaluating - assessing, making judgements and drawing conclusions. Criticizing the value and usefulness of material
6. Creating - putting parts together and reorganizing them in a new way, form or product. This is creative thinking

Question 2

What is the definition of a fallacy?

Answer 2

Fallacies are defects in logic that weaken arguments

Question 3

How can you avoid generalizations? (Making assumptions of a whole group based on inadequate sample)

Answer 3

Consider the kind of sample you’re using and if it’s large enough to support the conclusion. You could increase the sample size or draw more modest conclusions by using the word “some” and “many”

Question 4

What is a false cause and how to avoid it?

Answer 4

Drawing improper conclusions through sequencing (if a comes before b then a causes b).
When you’re making causal statements make sure that you can explain the process through which a causes b beyond their mere sequence

Question 5

What is a personalized fallacy and an example?

Answer 5

Inserting personalities inappropriately into an argument. Common in political arguments. (Example won’t support the education bill because he had a mistress).
Focus on merits and supporting data of an argument not on the personality or behavior of people making the argument

Question 6

What is “Everyone does it”?

Answer 6

Justifying an issue based on the number of people involved (Latin: ad populum).
The popular position is not always the right one. Be wary of arguments that rely exclusively on one set of numbers.

Question 7

How to use Appealing to Authority?

Answer 7

Quoting authorities is a valuable tool to build an argument. Make sure that the authority you quote is a a subject matter expert of the issue being discussed (example quoting a baseballer about a political issue)

Question 8

What are examples of “Weak Analogies”?

Answer 8

Using irrelevant similarities in two objects to draw a conclusion.
If you’re using an analogy, make sure you identify the properties relevant to the argument you are making and see if both share those properties.

Question 9

What is a false ditchonomy?

Answer 9

Setting up a situation in which it looks like there are only two possible options. If one option is discredited, the other must be accepted.
Examining if there are really only 2 options on the table (example: America: love it or leave it).

Question 10

What are some common critical thinking situations?

Answer 10

• personal choices: asking the right questions and analyzing them
• reading, listening, note taking and studying: what are the core messages, thinking of how they’re important, how they relate to one another
• research papers: what evidence do you need to support your thesis etc. are there reliable sources?
• essay questions: what are the real questions and personal beliefs about the questions, what are the arguments against my point of view

Question 11

What are the tips for critical thinking?

Answer 11

Answer questions including:
- is it enough support
- is the right support?
- is it credible?
Look at evidence that contradicts the point of view
What parts of evidence are weak? Do we have the supporting evidence to overcome it?
Create a set of criteria to evaluate the strength of the information to use.
What is the source of info?
Is the author well respected in that field?
When was this information developed? Is it important and if so then why?
Make sure that the assumptions and point of view is supported by facts, not opinions

Question 12

How to challenge your critical thinking?

Answer 12

• combine old ideas with new ways. Think „What istnej most ridiculous solution I could come up with?”. “If I were transported by a time machine back to the 1930s what would solve my problem?”, watching competitive design, cooking or fashion shows are great examples of combining old ideas to make new, functioning ones
• think metaphorically. When faced with a problem, take time to think about metaphors to describe it and the desired solution. Observe how they are used and and think why some metaphors are effective
• ask. Why are we doing it this way? What were the objectives when we developed the process?

Question 13

What are the 5 steps to critical thinking?

Answer 13

1. Formulate your question ?
2. Gather your information (seek for expert advice, get info online)
3. Apply the information (ask: what are the assumptions, concepts)
4. Consider the implications.
5. Explore other points of view (why are so many people so drawn to other candidates etc)