Quiz

Q.1

Critical thinking is the ability to think clearly and rationally, and it includes the ability to engage in reflective and independent thinking.

 

Q.2

1.      Insufficient focus and attention to details: critical thinking requires good attention to detail, more than just a general overview of subject matter.

2.      Lack of methods, strategies and practice: some people don’t know which steps to take to improve their critical thinking skills and some others are unaware of the strategies of critical thinking.

3.      Consensus thinking: the need to conform to the accepted.  

4.      Short-term thinking.

5.      Inappropriate bias.

 

Q.3

A fallacy is an argument that is invalid or that has very little strength.

1.      (You too) theory: this is an attempt to justify wrong action because someone else also does it.

2.      No connection between the argument and the conclusion: this refers to an argument in which the conclusion does not necessarily follow from the premises.

3.      Personalization of the argument.

4.      Argument from authority.

5.      Ignorance.

 

Q.4

1.      Improved attention and observation.

2.      Skills of analysis that you can choose to apply in a variety of situations.

3.      Skilled decision making and problem solving.

4.      Intelligent choices in human relationships.

5.    Skilled civic and personal choices.

Fair & false analogies

To compare the human heart with a pump is a fair analogy, as this is essentially the function of the heart i.e. to move blood around the circulatory system via arteries & veins.

To suggest that cloning humans is dangerous and could lead to the production of a Frankenstein's monster is a false argument because if we clone a sheep we get a sheep which is exactly the same.
Cloning may or may not be a good thing but arguments against it must be based on fair analogies & sound logical argument, not scare-mongering.

Critical Thinking

What is critical thinking?

Critical thinking is a type of reasonable, reflective thinking that is aimed at deciding what to believe or what to do. Encompassed in critical thinking are the skills of rationality, self-awareness, honesty, open-mindedness, discipline and judgement. The process of critical thinking involves thorough and careful interpretation of information as well as its subsequent application to reach justifiable conclusions.

These skills are necessary in many professions, particularly law, where a lawyer must evaluate different pieces of evidence. There are three main aspects of critical thinking – recognising assumptions, evaluating arguments and drawing conclusions.

Barriers to critical thinking

1.   Laziness - lack of practice - rote learning.

2.   Prejudice.

3.   Reluctance to question people of authority experts.

4.   Overpowering or addictive emotions.

5.   Lack of confidence.

6.   Consensus.

7.   Short-term thinking.

8.   Inappropriate bias.

 

Benefits of critical thinking

Good critical thinking involves:

· Improved attention & observation

· More focused reading

· Improved ability to identify key points in a text or meassage and not being distracted by less important material

· Knowledge of how to get your own point across more easily

· Skills of analysis that you can apply to various situations

Ancillary skills:

· Observation

· Reasoning

· Decision-making

· Analysis

· Judgement

· Persuasion

Realistic self-appraisal

Many people probably over-estimate their critical thinking skills

Emotional self-management

We may not like evidence that contradicts our own opinions orbeliefs

Perseverance, accuracy precision

Critical thinking involves accuracy & precision & a dedication to finding the correct answer. It includes:

Attention to detail

Identifying trends & patters

Repetition

Taking different perspectives

Objectivity

Considering implications & distant consequences

An Inconvenient Truth

The film An Inconvenient Truth revolves about Global Warming, which led to the emergence of other phenomena such as melting ice will lead to sea-level rise, sink the low-lying islands and coastal cities, increase flooding, occurrence the droughts and desertification large land, Increase the number and severity of storms and hurricanes, spread of infectious diseases in the world and extinction many organisms.

 

Al Gore presented and explained many important studied points with high-tech methods, so the message to be clear for the people on how we need to work to reduce the high temperatures before it is too late, and that by addressing the causes of the rise and to take formal proceedings in the matter at the level of the whole world.

 

My impression is that every one of us on this planet must start work from now to avoid what would happen in the future, so we don’t allow this situation continue like this.