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Why Is Critical Thinking Important?

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Why Is Critical Thinking Important?
Critical Thinking








Thinking is a purposeful mental activity—you control it…
Thinking is a two-sided activity—first you produce ideas and then you evaluate them…
Producing ideas widens your focus (resist the temptation to settle for a few familiar ideas).
Evaluating narrows your focus. Sort the ideas, identify the most reasonable ones.

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 …show more content…
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 & opinions 1)

2)

3)

If you state a fact that is not common knowledge, or that can’t be easily verified, briefly state where you got your information. If you state an opinion—a view others might disagree with, include answers to questions others might ask.
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, they don’t have an answer…
Preferences don’t need to be defended as long as they are expressed as preferences.
(If we express them as opinions, don’t be surprised if others challenge them.

Basic Approach to Critical
Thinking
Step One: Decide what you think and why you think it.
Step Two: Seek other views and more evidence.
Step Three: Decide which view is most reasonable.

Step One
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