What is Critical Thinking, Anyway?

What does it mean “to think?”To have a conscious mind, reasoning, remembering experiences, making rational decisions, etc.

To employ one's mind rationally and objectively in evaluating or dealing with a given situation.

The Nature of the Experience of Thinking….

Where do thoughts come from?

If you were a “brain in a vat,” would you have thoughts?

What is the product of thinking?

Is “feeling” different from thinking?

What are thoughts “made of”?

Critical ThinkingWhat is it?

How is it distinct from just “thinking”?

How is being a critical thinker different from being a critical person?

Let’s think of “critical thinking” as “critiquing” thinking.

Critiquing ThinkingAre some thoughts and ideas better or worse than others?

How do we determine what to believe and the degree to which we should believe?

Foundation for Critical Thinking says we should weigh claims against

Universal Intellectual Values Clarity

AccuracyPrecision

ConsistencyRelevance

Good EvidenceGood Reasons

Depth Breadth

Rational, Logical ThinkingTo think rationally is to make inferences from beliefs that are justified by the laws of logic.

Only one of these is a rational thought.

If it is sunny and warm, Tim and Tina are at the beach. It is sunny and warm, so Tim and Tina are at the beach.

If it is sunny and warm, Tim and Tina are at the beach. Tim and Tina are at the beach, so it is sunny and warm.

The laws of logic tell us what inferences we can make.

Critical Thinking

Examines the structures or elements of thought implicit in all reasoning.

Inference: if A is true, then B is true.

Inference: if B is false, then A is false.

and why are you thinking it…..

4 = True3 = Probably True2 = Probably False1 = False

Psychic and/or spiritual healers can impact the health of the human body with their minds.

55% of Americans believe in psychic or spiritual healing or the power of the human mind to heal the body.

--According to a 2005 Gallup Survey as reported in How to Think about Weird Things by Theodore Schick.

4 = True3 = Probably True2 = Probably False1 = False

Some people have ESP (extrasensory perception—the ability to read minds).

41% of Americans believe in ESP.

--According to a 2005 Gallup Survey as reported in How to Think about Weird Things by Theodore Schick.

4 = True3 = Probably True2 = Probably False1 = False

People on earth are sometimes possessed by the Devil or other demonic spirits.

42% of Americans say “true.”

--According to a 2005 Gallup Survey as reported in How to Think about Weird Things by Theodore Schick.

4 = True3 = Probably True2 = Probably False1 = False

Extraterrestrial beings have visited Earth at some time in the past. 24% of Americans say

“true.”--According to a 2005 Gallup Survey as reported in How to Think about Weird Things by Theodore Schick.

4 = True3 = Probably True2 = Probably False1 = False

Ghosts or spirits of dead people can come back to inhabit the earth in certain places and situations.

31% of Americans say “true.”--According to a 2005 Gallup Survey as reported in How to Think about Weird Things by Theodore Schick.

4 = True3 = Probably True2 = Probably False1 = False

Some people are clairvoyant—that is, they have the mental ability to predict the future. 26% of Americans say

“true.”--According to a 2005 Gallup Survey as reported in How to Think about Weird Things by Theodore Schick.

4 = True3 = Probably True2 = Probably False1 = False

Some people have the ability to communicate mentally with or hear from someone who has died.

21% of Americans say “true.”--According to a 2005 Gallup Survey as reported in How to Think about Weird Things by Theodore Schick.

4 = True3 = Probably True2 = Probably False1 = False

The biblical story of the flood and Noah’s Ark is literally true.

Objective or subjective claim?

43% of 190 surveyed high school biology and life science teachers say “true” or “probably true.”--According to a by sociologist Ray Eve and anthropologist Dana Dunn at U of Texas and as reported in How to Think about Weird Things by Theodore Schick.

4 = True3 = Probably True2 = Probably False1 = False

Dinosaurs and humans inhabited Earth at the same time.

Objective or subjective claim?

19% of 190 surveyed high school biology and life science teachers say “true” or “probably true.”--According to a by sociologist Ray Eve and anthropologist Dana Dunn at U of Texas and as reported in How to Think about Weird Things by Theodore Schick.

Objective & Subjective ClaimsFacts & Opinions

There is a God.

PHIL 1 in summer is a waste of time.

Travis likes to play golf.

Jessica is a hard-working student.

Life is good.

The physical world “out there” (i.e. reality) exists independent of people’s perceptions.

Slavery is an injustice.

Ideas like justice, courage, and love are fixed and real mental objects and not just what people think they are.

Propositions, Truth Values, & Arguments

Proposition: A statement that something is or isn’t the case.

Proposition are always either true or false (“true” & “false” are truth values).

Argument: One proposition inferred from one or more other propositions OR a claim supported by reasons for its truth.

Abortion is immoral.

Abortion deprives an innocent human being of his/her life. Therefore, abortion is immoral.

Abortion is immoral because it is the termination of a pregnancy.

Abortion is immoral because it deprives an innocent human being of his/her life.

Critiquing Thinking

Abortion deprives an innocent human being of his/her life. Therefore, abortion is immoral.

Abortion is immoral because it deprives an innocent human being of his/her life.

ClarityAccuracyPrecision

ConsistencyRelevance

Good EvidenceGood Reasons

Depth Breadth

Argument=Conclusion & Premise(s)

Questions on 1-1, 1-5, or 1-6?

IssueConclusionPremiseCogency

Do miracles occur?

Miracles occur in the world.

There are events that occur in the world that are not explained by physical and natural laws or scientific theories. Therefore, miracles occur in the world.

It is safe to say that miracles occur in the world because most people believe in God and believe God can and does cause events that are not bound by physical and natural laws.