This succinct, interdisciplinary introduction to critical thinking successfully dares students to question their own assumptions and to enlarge their thinking through the analysis of the most common problems associated with everyday reasoning. The text offers a unique and effective organization: Part I explains the fundamental concepts; Part II describes the most common barriers to critical thinking; Part III offers strategies for overcoming those barriers.
PrefaceIntroductionPART I. THE CONTEXT1. Who Are You?The Influence of Time and PlaceThe Influence of IdeasThe Influence of Mass CultureThe Science of ManipulationThe Influence of PsychologyBecoming an Individual2. What Is Critical Thinking?Mind, Brain, or Both?Critical Thinking DefinedCharacteristics of Critical ThinkersThe Role of IntuitionThe Basic Activities of Critical ThinkingCritical Thinking and WritingCritical Thinking and DiscussionAvoiding Plagiarism3. What Is Truth?Where Does It All Begin?Imperfect PerceptionImperfect MemoryDeficient InformationEven the Wisest Can ErrTruth Is Discovered, Not Created4. What Does It Mean to Know?Requirements of KnowingTesting Your Own KnowledgeHow We Come to KnowWhy Knowing is DifficultA Cautionary TailIs Faith a Form of KnowledgeObstacles to Knowledge5. How Good Are Your Opinions?Opinions Can Be MistakenOpinions on Moral IssuesEven Experts Can Be WrongKinds of ErrorsInformed Versus Uninformed OpinionForming Opinions Responsibly6. What Is Evidence?Kinds of EvidenceEvaluating EvidenceWhat Constitutes Sufficient Evidence?7. What Is Argument?The Parts of an ArgumentEvaluating ArgumentsMore Difficult ArgumentsPART II. THE PITFALLS8. The Basic Problem: Mine Is Better Egocentric PeopleEthnocentric PeopleControlling Mine-Is-Better Thinking9. Errors of Perls(
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