Critical Thinking HUM 115 Ray Sheppard CRITICAL THINKING

Critical Thinking HUM 115 Ray Sheppard

CRITICAL THINKING Lesson One The Benefit and Manner of Asking The Right Questions Chapter One: Pages 1 -17

What is Critical Thinking? 1. The awareness of a set of interrelated critical questions. 2. The ability to ask and answer critical questions at the appropriate times. 3. The desire to actively use the critical questions. 4. Thinking about thinking.

How Does Critical Thinking Benefit Us? 1. We are able to react critically to what we hear/read. 2. We are no longer spectators depended upon others. 3. We become involved in our own thinking and learning.

What is the goal of Critical Thinking? ¥ The goal is NOT to tear down. goal of Critical Thinking is to move the conversation forward.

Types of Thinking ¥ Sponge Thinking ¥ Panning for Gold Thinking

Types of Thinking ¥ Sponge Thinking Absorbing information without critical examination. ¥ Advantages: ¥ The more you “absorb” the more you know. ¥ It is easy (passive) and requires little effort. ¥ ¥ Disadvantages: No method of determining which information should be accepted. ¥ At the mercy of others. ¥ Not critical thinking. ¥

Types of Thinking ¥ Panning for Gold Thinking Developing a question-asking attitude. ¥ Takes time and can be challenging. ¥ Rewards are priceless. ¥ How does it work? ¥ Questions the claims of others. ¥ Interact with the material they are learning. ¥ Critically evaluates material they are learning. ¥ Evaluates what is being said. ¥ After careful consideration coming to an educated decision. ¥

Types of Thinking ¥ Panning ¥ Pages 4 and 5. ¥ ¥ for Gold: Use panning for gold method. Reading Assignment: ¥ Moodle course page: ¥ “The Critical Mind is a Questioning Mind” ¥ “Becoming a Critic of Your Thinking”

The Myth of the Right Answer ¥ Panning for gold methodology works for almost any subject. ¥ Even topics you know little/nothing about. ¥ Why? ¥ ¥ ¥ Can’t learn all possible information. Simply can’t know all the possible facts. Example: ¥ The Social Sciences (Psychology, Sociology). Should not prevent us from asking questions. ¥ Critical Thinking gives you the tools to develop the best and most reasonable answer based on the information you have. ¥

The Myth of the Right Answer ¥ Avoid: ¥ Intellectual Arrogance: ¥ Thinking we know more than we actually can/do. ¥ Practice: ¥ Intellectual Humility: ¥ Acknowledge what we do not know. ¥ Reading Assignment (See Moodle): “Valuable Intellectual Traits” ¥ “Universal Intellectual Standards” ¥

Weak Sense & Strong Sense Thinking ¥ Critical Thinking can be used for one of two purposes: Self-Centeredness (sophistry). ¥ Fair-Mindedness. ¥

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