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

Uncertainty is not our friend?

Critical Thinking- Logic & Reason The Beginning Socrates Plato Aristotle

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 have no verified support

Critical Thinking- Everyday Life 1.Reflection 2.Challenged 3.Improved Thinking 4.Growth and change We take control of our lives by knowing and improving our own method and process of thinking.

Three Stages of Critical 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”

Results of Critical Thinking

Good Problem Solving 1.Simplify the problem 2.Seek the easiest solutions 3.See multiple solutions 4.See opposite sides

Collaborative Learning 1.Share knowledge (POV) 2.Pool experiences (Beliefs) 3.Minimizes personal biases 4.Instant feedback, quicker resolution

Self- Development

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

Critical Thinking - Freedom 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 1. Need to take action and put forth effort toward a group goal 2. Can’t let fear keep us from doing what is right 3. Fear will mean no movement towards our goal at all --- He is NOT saying that all issues that a certain sect of people deem as oppressive is justification for an individual fight for freedom ---

Critical Thinking- Freedom 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

Homework: Steps and Barriers to Critical Thinking

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

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