Why Critical Thinking Is Important Critical thinking is skilled and active interpretation and evaluation of observations and communications, information and argumentation” It takes time and effort to be a good critical thinker It’s a learned skill

Critical thinking- Logic The study of method and principals used to distinguish correct argument and incorrect argument (self and others) Uses logic : the correct method of drawing conclusions from evidence

Critical thinking- truth Objective Truth True regardless of viewer Excepted truths Truth is based on excepted definitions Cat, dog, chair Subjective truth Truth varies by individual Truth is formed my each persons experiences and belief systems Love, justice, freedom Subjective truth can have many definitions

Critical Thinking-- Opinion Conclusion drawn that are based on emotion, subjective thought and assumptions The truth of the conclusion drawn is very unclear Try to predict outcome with subjective evidence. We can except others opinions without having to change ours…..ambiguity Opinions are evaluated on how reasonable, or logical, the evidence is, not weather the conclusion is true or not. What is Blue?

Critical thinking- Everyday life Opinions are based on beliefs not evidence Opinions lead to bad decisions Critical thinking allows us to avoid making bad decisions Well-informed decisions Seeking truth Excepting other viewpoints Seeking evidence

College student– three stages of thinking Dualism Only right and wrong. Relativism All individual context. No right and wrong Commitment All individual context Not all context equal Not all situations are equally valid. Need to analyze each situation to come to the right conclusion

Good Critical Thinking Characteristics

Analytical Logic support for decisions Evaluate all arguments Recognize faulty reasoning

Communication Knowing how to make your ideas know in multiple ways and situations Languages Cultures Genders

Research Formulate the right questions Interpret data Evaluate

Flexibility Knowing that clear answers are not always available Need to change question to fine answer Sometimes there is no answer

Open Minded Skepticism Let evidence form conclusions Question beliefs Accept other ideas “Suspend our disbelief”

Problem Solving Creativity allows us to look at a problem in multiple ways Open minded Think out of the box Use critical thinking after this

Collaborative Learning Develop relationships with people Consider “Other side” Know the other position

Self- Development

Self-Examined Life An unexamined life is not worth living- Socrates Know thyself- Greek saying Deal with you problems Put yourself in a good position Develop skills to succeed

Rational Life Plan Lead a life that you choose and is not given to you. Consider consequences before actions Schedule for your life Set goals Challenging Reachable

Challenges We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily…demanded by the oppressed…For years now I have heard the word "Wait!" It rings in the ear of every Negro with piercing familiarity. This "Wait" has almost always meant "Never." We must come to see, with one of our distinguished jurists, that "justice too long delayed is justice denied.“ Martin Luther King, Jr Letters From a Birmingham Jail

Democracy In a republican nation, whose citizens are to be led by reason and persuasion and not by force, the art of reasoning becomes of first importance Thomas Jefferson

Barriers

Three tired model Experience I witnessed a robbery I went to this school I worked at this company Interpretation This person was robber because This school is bad, and this is why This company should be shut down Analysis To avoid a robbery you should This school needs new administration and teacher When you start a new company you should avoid

Resistance Barriers to our strongly held View Beliefs Values We try to defend our views at all cost Is it cost effective? Wasted time and effort

Type of Resistance Ignore situations or questions- avoid Get mad at situation or questions- anger Take on popular responses to situations or questions- clichés Deny that situations or question exist- denial Not enough knowledge to address situations or questions- ignorance Peer pressure answers the questions or situations for you- conformity Never answering a situation or questions- struggling Doing something else instead of addressing situation or questions- distraction

Narrow Mindedness Believe what they are told by perceived expert- Absolutism Don’t want the hassle- Fear of challenge What I think is more important than what other think- Egocentrism Our race or culture’s thoughts are more important that yours- Ethnocentrism