what is critical thinking? csit58 asking the right questions chapter 1

What is Critical Thinking?

CSIT58 Asking the Right QuestionsChapter 1

Information is coming at you

Do you believe it?

Or do you question?

How do you decide?

Ask yourself

Is this information:

□ A definition

□ A fact

□ An Opinion

Absorb like a sponge

If the information is:

√ A definition

√ A fact

□ An Opinion

FACTS

Facts about Barak Obama:• He was known as "O'Bomber" at high school

for his skill at basketball • His name means "one who is blessed" in

Swahili • He is left-handed – the sixth post-war

president to be left-handed • He worked in a Baskin-Robbins ice cream

shop as a teenager and now can't stand ice cream

• He can speak Spanish • As a teenager he took drugs including

marijuana and cocaineFrom

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/barackobama/3401168/Barack-Obama-The-50-facts-you-might-not-know.html

Put it through a strainer

If the information is:

□ A definition

□ A fact

√ An Opinion

What is Critical Thinking?Critical thinking, or the art of reasoned judgment, is really little more than thinking about how we think in various aspects of our lives. For example, we can shop critically or uncritically. Uncritical shoppers buy what they don’t need and pay too much money. Critical shoppers, on the other hand, think about how to shop, their past errors, buying patterns and impulses. They use their critical thinking skills in a specific way to intervene in their decision about shopping….Critical thinking entails a coherent plan and a test for reasonableness that can be applied to life’s various decisions.

From: Andolina, Michael. Practical Guide to Critical Thinking. Albany: Delmar/Thompson Learning, 2002.

“Critical” does NOT mean criticize.It means to be analytical.

InvestigateQuestionReason

You bring lots of personal baggage to decisions you make

– Experiences– Dreams– Values– Training– Culture

Feelings and emotions are valuable

• Recognize your feelings and put them aside for a bit so you can be open to new ideas.

• Get emotionally involved after you have reasoned something out.

• Don’t take disagreement personally.

You will get plenty of practice in this class.

End of Chapter 1 Lecture.