Overview
This lecture covers the definition of critical thinking, methods to develop a critical thinking mindset, common barriers to effective thinking, and techniques to overcome them. Practical examples and structured processes are provided to enhance decision making and problem solving.
What is Critical Thinking?
- Critical thinking uses intelligence and knowledge to form objective, rational viewpoints.
- It is reflective, reasonable thinking aimed at deciding what to believe or do.
- Involves curiosity, creativity, skepticism, analysis, and logic.
- Not about finding faults, conforming, suppressing emotions, or blindly trusting science.
Methods for Developing Critical Thinking
- Nine Intellectual Standards: clarity, precision, accuracy, relevance, depth, breadth, logic, significance, fairness.
- Each standard tests the quality and validity of information and solutions.
- Six Stages of Critical Thinking Skills:
- Clarify thinking with purpose and context.
- Question sources.
- Identify arguments.
- Analyze sources and arguments.
- Evaluate others’ arguments.
- Create your own arguments.
- Five Steps of Critical Thinking:
- Identify the problem.
- Obtain information.
- Evaluate options.
- Create and consider alternatives.
- Implement the decision.
- Emphasizes flexibility and adaptability in changing situations.
Barriers to Effective Critical Thinking
- Ego and pride can lead to sophistry and focus on "winning" rather than clarity.
- Groupthink and social conditioning suppress independent thought.
- Universality of experience assumes everyone thinks and experiences the same.
- Personal biases skew judgment (confirmation bias, anchoring, false consensus, normalcy bias).
- Focusing on individuals instead of arguments (ad hominem, appeals to authority).
- Cognitive fatigue impairs creativity and clear thinking.
- Drone mentality reduces creative and critical thought.
Application Example: The Clock Angle Question
- Calculating clock hand angles involves understanding fractions of time and degrees in a circle.
- Example at 9:45: 22.5° between hands; at 9:15: 172.5°.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Critical Thinking — Reasoned, reflective thinking to decide what to believe or do.
- Argument — A logical statement or set of statements supporting a viewpoint.
- Groupthink — Following group consensus without independent analysis.
- Cognitive Fatigue — Diminished thinking ability due to mental exhaustion.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Practice applying the nine intellectual standards, six stages, and five steps to real problems.
- Reflect on personal barriers and consider strategies to mitigate them.
- Complete assigned clock-angle calculation exercises if provided.