PHI 180 Critical Thinking Introduction PDF

PHI 180 | Introduction to Critical Thinking PHI 180 Critical Thinking Introduction to Critical Thinking www.uaeu.ac.ae PHI 180 |...

PHI 180 | Introduction to Critical Thinking PHI 180 Critical Thinking Introduction to Critical Thinking www.uaeu.ac.ae PHI 180 | Introduction to Critical Thinking What Is Critical Thinking? Exercise 1 What do you think critical thinking is? Why do you think we study it? www.uaeu.ac.ae PHI 180 | Introduction to Critical Thinking Explanations of Critical Thinking: Critical thinking is the ability to engage in reflective and independent thinking and being able to think clearly and rationally. (J. Lau, A Mini Guide to Critical Thinking, HKU, 2009) www.uaeu.ac.ae PHI 180 | Introduction to Critical Thinking Explanations of Critical Thinking: Critical thinking involves the careful examination and evaluation of beliefs and actions. It requires paying attention to the process of reasoning, not just the product. (E. Gambrill, L. Gibbs, Critical Thinking for Helping Professionals, Oxford University Press, 2009). www.uaeu.ac.ae PHI 180 | Introduction to Critical Thinking Critical Thinking Skills Exercise 2 Ahmed is considering a used car in Sanaiya, trying to decide whether to buy it. Ahmed does not have much money, and he does not know much about cars, but he has just been offered a job that requires him to have a reliable car. A salesperson has told Ahmed all the advantages of the car in question. www.uaeu.ac.ae PHI 180 | Introduction to Critical Thinking Case 1 Ahmed comes to like and trust the salesperson in the course of talking about the car, because he is friendly, he looks smart and professional, and seems very competent. They have never met before though, and Ahmed knows nothing about the company for which the salesperson works. Ahmed thinks that if the salesperson looks so smart, professional, and competent, what he says about the car must be true; besides, Ahmed likes the ‘look’ of the car, so he decides to buy it. www.uaeu.ac.ae PHI 180 | Introduction to Critical Thinking Case 2 Ahmed comes to like the salesperson because he is friendly, he looks smart and professional, and seems very competent. However, he treats what the salesman says with caution, gets an expert (independent) mechanic to check the vehicle over, checks prices of comparable vehicles in a used car price guide, and gets a knowledgeable friend to advise on negotiating a price. (Adapted from Fisher A., Critical Thinking. An Introduction, Cambridge University Press 2001, p. 9) What does Ahmed do that involves good critical thinking skills in the good case, and what does he do that’s not good in the bad case? www.uaeu.ac.ae PHI 180 | Introduction to Critical Thinking The Critical Attitude In addition to learning critical thinking skills, it is also important to have the right attitudes. One important attitude is having an open mind. What is open mindedness and why is it important for critical thinking? www.uaeu.ac.ae PHI 180 | Introduction to Critical Thinking The Critical Attitude Another attitude associated with critical thinking is intellectual humility. What do you think that is? www.uaeu.ac.ae PHI 180 | Introduction to Critical Thinking Exercise 3 Which of these people has the right attitude for critical thinking? I don’t listen to other people’s I try to make sure my beliefs opinions because I’m the smartest. are based on the best available evidence. I’m willing to change my opinions I just believe whatever my when there are good arguments friends think. against them. www.uaeu.ac.ae PHI 180 | Introduction to Critical Thinking Barriers to Critical Thinking What kind of things can stop us from thinking critically? Ignorance What is ignorance? What’s the solution to being ignorant about something? www.uaeu.ac.ae PHI 180 | Introduction to Critical Thinking Wishful Thinking What is wishful thinking? What is the solution to wishful thinking? Conformity What is conformity? What is the solution to misplaced conformity? www.uaeu.ac.ae PHI 180 | Introduction to Critical Thinking Laziness How can laziness stop you from thinking critically? What is the solution to laziness? Confirmation Bias Anybody know what that is? What is the solution to confirmation bias? www.uaeu.ac.ae PHI 180 | Introduction to Critical Thinking Communal reinforcement Anybody heard of this? What is the solution to communal reinforcement? www.uaeu.ac.ae