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Published byTalon Udall Modified over 10 years ago
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CRITICAL THINKING “Learning without thought is a labor lost.” -Confucius
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Suggested supplemental material: Youtube Viewing: n “Skepticism & the Media (Penn & Teller) n James Randi [all videos] (“The Amazing Randi”) n “Jonathan Edwards” (Michael Shermer) Reading Skeptic magazine (www.skeptic.com) Anything by Michael Shermerwww.skeptic.com Skeptical Inquirer magazine (www.csicop.org) Learning Objectives: u Critically evaluating information u Confirmation Bias u Hindsight Bias u 5 Critical Questions
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CRITICAL THINKING “ The Disillusioning Lecture” “Don’t Believe Everything You Think” n How we “think” to see the world, n How we “want” to see the world. n The Importance of gaining a different view n The willingness to change.
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n Science (defined) - “to know.” n Natural explanations for natural behavior n The state motto of Missouri n Changing HOW you think, not what you think n The whole science-religion debate n Magic, Psychics, Mediums etc. u Debunking 101 (ex. Randi’s “Aura Test”) n Looking beyond the surface (5 issues) u (“American Idol® syndrome”) u Urban legends/Opinions are not facts/Prejudicial Thinking/ Confirmation Bias/Hindsight Bias
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CRITICAL THINKING n Defined: u An approach to thinking characterized by skepticism and thoughtful analysis of statements and arguments.
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Evaluating Information n Focus on observable data n Focus on meaning u Where do we obtain our information? u Correlation does not imply causation u Prejudicial Thinking “ A great many people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices.” -William James
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Principles of Critical Thinking Be skeptical Do not oversimplify or overgeneralize Examine definitions of terms, assumptions Be cautious drawing conclusions Consider alternative interpretations
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Recognizing Fallacies Arguments directed to the person Appeals to authority Appeals to force Appeals to popularity
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Characteristics of critical thinkers Ability and willingness to evaluate evidence Recognize and evaluate arguments Appreciate the value of critical thinking Impose criteria upon thinking “I have no particular talent. I am merely extremely inquisitive.” - Albert Einstein
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FIVE CRITICAL QUESTIONS n What am I being asked to accept / believe? n Is there evidence available to support the claim? n Can the evidence be interpreted in another way? n What evidence would help evaluate the alternatives? n What conclusions are most reasonable?
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SUMMARY n EVIDENCE BASED RESEARCH n REPLICATED RESEARCH n QUALITY OF THE EVIDENCE n 5 CRITICAL QUESTIONS
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