Overview of critical thinking First series of exercises Second series of exercises.
-
Upload
alice-weaver -
Category
Documents
-
view
215 -
download
0
Transcript of Overview of critical thinking First series of exercises Second series of exercises.
Critical Thinking with reference to Critical Appraisal
Belinda NicolauAlissa Levine
Summer School 2010
Outline
Overview of critical thinking
First series of exercises
Second series of exercises
Fisher & Scriven: “skilled, active, interpretation and evaluation of observations, communications, information, and argumentation.”
Moore & Parker: “the careful, deliberate determination of whether one should accept, reject, or suspend judgment about a claim and the degree of confidence with which one accepts or rejects it.”
Critical Thinking: definition
Critical Thinking
Contribution to science
Construction of good arguments
Epistemic Responsibility
Get the facts straight
Be fair
Reflect on your beliefs
Be diplomatic
Critical Thinking: Formal Guidelines
Critical Thinking in 3 Steps
Step 1: Believe (the innovative component)› Suspend judgment› Search for the strengths of a perspective› Go so far as to “believe” that perspective
Step 2: Doubt (the intellectual norm)› Ask probing questions› Attack faulty logic/inadequate evidence› Use knowledge/information to rebut
Step 3: Integrate the first 2› Recognize and articulate complexity› Integrate insights gained to deepen understanding› Work towards informed judgment
Step 1: Believe
“Everyone agrees in theory that we can’t judge a new idea or point of view unless we enter into it and try it out, but the practice itself is rare” –Peter Elbow
The goal is to embrace all aspects of a perspective/argument, even those that you find ill-founded or offensive. This allows you to discover strengths in an argument that you might have overlooked
Step 2: Doubt
“Knowing and questioning, of course, require one another. We understand nothing except in so far as we understand the questions behind it” –I.A.Richards
The goal now is to question everything no matter how solid/reasonable it may seem› This may lead to unexpected insights and
questions, as well as a more profound furthering of knowledge
Step 3: Integrate
Having explored a perspective from within (believing) and from without (doubting), you should be better able to
› integrate all pertinent aspects
› identify similarities across perspectives
› modify your own way of thinking
The critical thinking notes on belief and doubt were gleaned from a website and book chapter:
www.teachablemoment.org/ideas/critical thin
king
Peter Elbow, “Methodological Doubting and Believing: Contraries in Inquiry,” in Embracing Contraries: Explorations in Learning and Teaching. N.Y: Oxford University Press, 1986.
Critical Thinking: Practical guidelines
Use simple terms
Avoid hidden argument components
Avoid vague/ambiguous expressions
Schematize your arguments
Watch for fallacies
Present a balanced case
Critical Thinking
A good argument
› The ideas are structured in a concise, coherent, and logical format
› The author(s)’ position is stated with confidence, conviction and persuasion
Critical Thinking
Developing a Position
• In most cases, your concern will be with a topic which not only interests you, but is also one which you already have some confidence discussing
Critical Thinking
Formulate some ideas
• Jot them down whenever they occur to you
• Don’t evaluate them until later
• Keep a notebook (or a napkin) handy or use a mini voice recorder
• Start early
Critical Thinking
Discuss your ideas with friends, roommates, family, pets …
Critical Thinking
Exercises