Why critical thinking is important

 Success in work depends on thinking skills.

 It isn’t enough to possess knowledge but you must
be able to apply information to your job.
 Critical thinking is a reliable way of searching for
the truth.
Facts and Opinions
 Facts are realities; opinions are beliefs or
judgments.
 Opinions may fit the facts or be in error.
 Even the greatest experts sometimes hold
incorrect opinions.
 That is why research is so important in every
subject area—it confirms some opinions and
disproves others.
Forming Opinions
 Critical thinkers realize how easy it is to be
mistaken so they form their opinions with
care.
 They revise their opinions, even cherished
ones, whenever they prove to be in error.
 There is no shame in being wrong, but
problems occur when individuals stubbornly
cling to a mistaken view.
Recognizing facts and opinions
 Fact: Wayne Gretzky is a famous hockey
player.
 Opinion: Smoking should be banned in all
public places.
 Fact: Camel’s hair brushes are made of
Siberian squirrel fir.
 Opinion: Eyewitness testimony is generally
unreliable.
Separating facts and opinions
1) If you state a fact that is not common
knowledge, or that can’t be easily verified,
briefly state where you got your
information.
2) If you state an opinion—a view others
might disagree with, include answers to
questions others might ask.
3) If you are not sure whether a statement is a
fact or an opinion, treat it as an opinion.
Opinion versus personal
preference…
 Often confusing to many people.
 Example: “Comic books are as instructive
about life as novels are.”
 When asked what evidence exists that comic
books are so instructive, many people don’t
have an answer.
 Preferences don’t need to be defended as long
as they are expressed as preferences. (If
individuals express them as opinions, don’t be
surprised if others challenge them.
Expressing thoughts in an essay
1) Introduction
2) Controlling idea
3) First argument for this idea and
supporting evidence
4) Second argument and supporting
evidence
5) Third argument (if you have one) and
supporting evidence
6) Conclusion
Expressing thoughts in an essay
 Support your view with evidence
 Be exact, but lively. (Choose word
that convey your idea exactly.)
 Break your thoughts into paragraphs.
 Use standard punctuation and observe
conventions of grammar and usage.
(APA format for most papers.)
Characteristics of Critical Thinkers

 They base their judgments on evidence.

 They resist manipulation.
 They look for connections between subjects.
 They balance their thinking.
 Critical thinkers are intellectually independent.
Recognizing and avoiding errors
 Three types of broad errors in critical
thinking:
 Errors of Perception

 Errors of Judgment

 Errors of Reaction
 Errors of Perception
 Faulty ways of seeing reality—preventing
individuals from being open-minded even
before they begin to think.
 “Mine is better” thinking
 Selective Perception—focusing only what
supports an idea.
Errors of Perception (continued)
 Pretending to know
 Resistance to change
 Either/or thinking (for example:
Evolution versus Creation theories)
 Errors of Judgment
 Over generalizing or stereotyping
 Hasty conclusion
 Unwarranted assumption (assumptions:
ideas that are taken for granted)
Example: if something appears in print,
it must be true.
 Failure to make a distinction
 Errors of Judgment (continued)

 Distinguish between: “often” and “always,”

“seldom” and “never.”
 Oversimplification differs from simplification.
It omits essential information or ignores
complexity. It distorts reality and confuses
discussion.
Errors of Reaction
 Explaining Away (Example: Marijuana Use—
users feel the studies are wrong because they
have smoked for years and it’s had no effect
on them…”
 Shifting the burden of proof. When you make
an assertion, you might have to defend it. If
you find you can’t, there is the tendency to
shift the burden of proof to others instead of
withdrawing the assertion.
Reaction Errors (continued)
 Attacking the person. “You have no
business lecturing me about…”
 Instead -- focus on the idea than the
person.
 Be flexible and be willing to admit a
mistake.
 Argument Solving Steps
 Find the Controlling Idea—the idea that is the
most reasonable. Usually stated right after the
introduction.
 Read the Article (while keeping the controlling
idea in mind.)
 Identify Relationships (more information)
 Write a Summary Conclusion
Identify Relationships
 And relationships signal that what follows
adds to what preceded. (Words like: also,
first, in addition, next, further, and,
moreover, finally, lastly, besides and
another.)
 But relationships signal what follows
contrasts with what preceded. (Words like:
however, nevertheless, yet, or, but, on the
other hand, and in contrast.
Identify Relationships (continued)
 Therefore relationships signal that a
conclusion is being made about the
preceding evidence. (Words like: so,
consequently, accordingly, thus,
therefore, and it follows that.)
Reference
 Ruggiero, V.R. (2003). Beyond Feelings:
A Guide to Critical Thinking. 7th ed.
McGraw-Hill.