CTBS: What is Critical Thinking? Flashcards
What are the key components of critical thinking?
Asking questions, examining assumptions, and weighing the validity of arguments.
What qualities define a critical thinker?
Self-aware: Introspective about their thinking processes and aware of biases.
Curious: Challenges obvious ideas, explores new approaches, and seeks diverse viewpoints.
Independent: Forms informed opinions, understands options, and makes judgments independently.
What does critical thinking involve beyond being “negative”?
It involves assessing the truth of a matter, not just criticizing ideas.
Why is critical thinking important in the information age?
The overwhelming volume of information requires critical thinkers to discern and evaluate diverse expressions of the same ideas to find common ground.
What is the significance of “Caveat emptor” (buyer beware) in critical thinking?
It reminds us that business expert ideas are not always reliable, valid, or scientifically proven, encouraging independent evaluation.
How is a critical thinker different from a “sponge”?
A sponge passively absorbs information, while a critical thinker evaluates and judges ideas critically.
What are the five parts of the critical thinking process?
Central Claims: Focus on settling problems, answering questions, or deciding on actions.
Quality of Evidence: Evaluate data accuracy and support for claims.
Underlying Assumptions and Values: Recognize biases shaping evidence.
Causal Claims: Scrutinize cause-and-effect inferences.
Techniques of Persuasion: Analyze how ideas are expressed to influence judgment.
What is the focus when evaluating “central claims”?
Settling a problem, developing an answer, or deciding on an action by analyzing the key arguments in business texts.
How do critical thinkers assess “quality of evidence”?
By ensuring the reasons supporting a claim are valid and the information is accurate.
Why is it important to consider “underlying assumptions and values”?
Because evidence is shaped by biases, viewpoints, and assumptions.
How should critical thinkers evaluate “causal claims”?
By judging the validity of cause-and-effect relationships (e.g., “Does X result in Y?”).
What should be analyzed in “techniques of persuasion”?
The presentation of key concepts, management of contradictory evidence, and language used to sway judgments.
