Table Of ContentCRITICAL THINKING
A profound handbook to improve your memory and logical skills, level up your decision making and
problem solving!
G.S. Baker
Disclaimer
The information contained in " CRITICAL THINKING" is meant to serve as a comprehensive
collection of strategies that the author of this eBook has researched about. Summaries, strategies, tips,
and tricks are only recommendations by the author; and reading this eBook will not guarantee that one's
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER 1
WHAT IS THE CRITICAL THINKING?
Critical Thinking: Defining the Concept
Critical and non-desiderative thinking
Methods to Enhance Critical Thinking
CHAPTER 2
ANCIENT MENTAL MODES
How To Choose Mental Models?
CHAPTER 3
LEARNING FROM CRITICAL THINKERS
The critical mind that nurtures critical thinking
CHAPTER 4
HOW WE INFLUENCE OUR THOUGHTS
CHAPTER 5
BETTER DECISION MAKING
CHAPTER 6
SKILLS FOR CRITICAL THINKERS
10 characters You are a critical thinker
CHAPTER 7
ANALYTIC THINKING AND PROBLEM-SOLVING TECHNIQUES
CHAPTER 8
MENTAL EXERCISES TO DEVELOP YOUR CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS
CHAPTER 9
KEEPING THE BRAIN IN SHAPE FOR CRITICAL THINKING
Exercise your brain
Exercise your body to improve your critical thinking abilities
Stimulate the frontal lobe
Expand your critical thinking ability
Use diet and supplements to improve brain function
CHAPTER 10
CRITICAL THINKING STRATEGIES
CHAPTER 11
WHEN TO USE THE CRITICAL THINKING
CHAPTER 12
SOCRATES AND ARISTOTLE
CHAPTER 13
THE ART OF CLEAR THINKING
Techniques for clear thinking
CHAPTER 14
CONCLUSION _ A KEY SKILL FOR THE FUTURE
INTRODUCTION
C ritical Thinking is understood as the process of evaluating and choosing,
through reasoning and will, a certain option in the midst of a universe of
possibilities, with the purpose of solving a specific situation, whether it is
the personal field, vocational, family, social, labor, economic, institutional or
business, among others.
To that extent, the decision-making process must be distinguished from
routine everyday choices, such as preferences for the attire of the day, the
lunch menu, etc., which do not necessarily imply a process of rational
scrutiny.
Decision-making involves the evaluation of a series of conditions and
variables of a scenario, against which it is necessary to choose an intervention
strategy by the subject involved, be it an individual or a collective
(companies, institutions, communities). Therefore, it is a very complex
process.
CHAPTER 1
WHAT IS THE CRITICAL THINKING?
We can read that the man arrived at the Moon or that he never succeeded,
observe the report of the results of a scientific experiment or we can watch on
television what we believe can be a mass demonstration.
We can believe in it or not do it, taking into account that what comes to us
from the media, what we read, what they tell us ... all this can be the product
of an error or due to biased interests or opinions.
Today we have to be able to doubt everything, reflecting and evaluating what
we perceive and / or what communicates to us. That is why we can ask
ourselves about the ability to perform this screening. What is critical thinking
and how to develop it?
Critical Thinking: Defining the Concept
Critical thinking is the capacity manifested by the human being to analyze
and evaluate the existing information regarding a subject or given, trying to
clarify the veracity of said information and reach a justified idea about it,
ignoring possible external biases.
We apply critical thinking to try to discern the reality of what they tell us and
perceive from the analysis of the reasoning used to explain it. In a manner
analogous to what Descartes proposed, it is about doubting the information,
dogmas and absolute axioms that surround us until we ourselves can give
them truthfulness or otherwise ignore them. With this, we seek to have a
justified idea of reality and not blindly accept what others tell us.
This type of thinking, linked to skepticism, helps the human being to create
his own identity, appearing throughout development and being especially
visible in adolescence and from it. It is not about bringing the opposite to the
world, but about being able to elaborate our own point of view based on the
verification and contrast of data. What is intended with critical thinking is to
eliminate fallacies and biases that compromise the objectivity of the
investigated data.
Critical thinking is closely related to other capabilities such as creativity,
logic or intuition, allowing us to develop new strategies and ways of seeing
and perceiving things. Having a good capacity for critical thinking helps us
avoid conformism and move forward as human beings, avoiding that there is
only one way of seeing the world.
Why is critical thinking important?
Having critical thinking can change the whole dynamics of the workplace.
We can analyze, for example, that personal problems among employees often
affect their earnings and the well-being of teams. When people have the
critical thinking, that doesn't happen: Nobody lets work get mixed up with
their personal lives, and everyone tries to maintain the friendliness to get
projects going as planned.
Critical thinking also has great advantages for leaders and bosses because
they often find themselves having to resolve problems and conflicts between
employees. It is undeniable that in such situations leaders can agree with one
of the parties involved. However, impartiality is essential to maintain a firm
position at such times. Critical thinking distances personal opinions and
focuses only on facts and rationality.
But do not think that this kind of thinking is only rational: it also makes room
for creativity. Someone who is able to think critically often has more ideas
and suggestions, which always leads to innovation in company projects.
Taking away your personal opinion gives you room to think about other
opinions - and this is where the best ideas are born.
Even customer service is better when the employee has critical thinking
because it leads to empathy. When we set aside our own beliefs to analyze a
situation, we can better understand what the other is going through. In this
way, the employee understands the customer's needs and can better serve
them.
No wonder critical thinking is seen as an essential skill for every good
student or employee. Knowing how to question, and especially if questioning,
is important to make room for knowledge and the emergence of new ideas.
Those who live with a colleague who thinks this way know how their ability
to resolve conflicts and understand others is essential in the workplace.
How to develop critical thinking?
In order to start developing your critical thinking, it is important to invest in
three different aspects. However, it is important to remember that, above
these qualities, critical thinking is an exercise that must be constantly
practiced to perfection.
1. Curiosity
Asking questions, not being satisfied with easy solutions and seeking more
knowledge is the tripod of curious people. Leave acceptance aside and invest
in curiosity.
2. Understanding
Understanding the full picture of a problem is important to becoming a
critical thinker. If you focus only on one small aspect, you may not be able to
ponder it effectively.
3. Logic
Start stimulating your logical thinking with mind-defying exercises. Do
Sudoku, crossword puzzles and reasoning challenges. Once you work on
these three characteristics, it is possible for critical thinking to come to your
mind more easily. But never forget that critical thinking is a time-consuming
exercise and requires dedication.
Critical and non-desiderative thinking
Before we have indicated that critical thinking helps us not to get carried
away by the opinions of others and consider this something totally true and
correct. However, we must not confuse critical thinking with acting on our
impulses.
While being critical of what is taken for granted is a great help to improve
ourselves and create new ways of seeing the world that does not mean that
we have to depend on what we create without further ado. This could lead us
to think that what we want or think about something is the truth, which in
turn can lead us to commit cognitive biases.
For example, a person with major depression may believe that his condition
will never change and that everything he tries does not matter. This does not
mean that this is the case, finding (either alone or with professional help) in
your life positive things that will help you improve your condition.
Critical thinking in itself implies being able to set aside the different fallacies
and biases to focus on seeking a truth that is as justified and reasonable as
possible, seeking evidence and evidence that what is said or done is true. It is
based on the search for objectivity, bypassing the subjective and manipulative
elements that other people or even one can introduce in the analysis of
information.
What skills does having critical thinking imply?
We have made a description of what is critical thinking. However, it is worth
asking what exactly is necessary to have it? Having a critical thought means
that the individual who has it has some degree of the following skills or traits.
1. Capacity for reflection
To be able to have a critical mindset it is necessary to be able to reflect on
things in abstract terms. That is, being able to associate the information that
comes to us with its meaning at both a superficial and deep level, as well as
the implications that such information has with respect to the rest of reality.
2. Flexibility
Critical thinking implies the ability to doubt that what we perceive or believe
we perceive is true, accepting the possibility that there are alternatives other
than the one or proposals. Thus, some mental flexibility is necessary that
allows us to visualize that other perspectives than usual can be objective and
produce the desired results.
3. Logic and bias detection
The ability to visualize the logic or lack of it in the things we analyze, as well
as the possible failures and biases the affirmations and thoughts may have
regarding them, is fundamental in this aspect. If we are not able to detect
specific aspects of the argument that do not just correspond to reality or to
those that lack explanation, it is not possible to make a founded criticism.
4. Theory of the mind
It is necessary to bear in mind that all the affirmations and opinions are
elaborated by human beings, who present their opinions based on what they
consider correct. Thus, knowledge may be biased even on purpose, if an
objective is sought with its transmission.
5. Ability to doubt things
In order not to accept any explanation it is necessary to be able to question
the truth of it. However, it is necessary that the doubts be limited to the
reasonable, otherwise the existing principle could be doubted. And while it
would be a critical type of thinking, excessive skepticism would not lead to
any resolution.
6. Motivation and curiosity
To doubt something it is very useful that what we doubt is significant. We
can be critical of something that does not matter to us, but the presence of a
high motivation and curiosity regarding the subject or the arguments given
implies that we will try to find a truthful and justifiable solution.
Methods to Enhance Critical Thinking
True critical thinkers are disciplined about the function of solving situations.
They honour the rigour of work, the routines and habits that lead to the
expected result and exercise emotional intelligence through self-awareness
and self-control.
Successful critical thinkers focus on goals, not obstacles. They do not give
the answers, but the opportunity to solve the problem.
The elegant trick of critical thinking has much to do with features of strategic
brilliance. While producing tangible and achievable results, both remain
within themselves, invisible to the eyes. Renowned Chinese general and
military strategist Sun Tzu, known for the classic "Art of War", understood
the subtlety by stating, "Everyone can see my tactics of conquest, but what no
one can understand is the strategy that each victory involves." The same
holds true for the art of critical thinking.
To better understand the mark of a critical thinker, think about the movie
“Star Wars” and its Jedi characters. Much of the mysterious power is
camouflaged and hidden. The manner in which Jedi-like sages produce their
results reflects their impartial state of mind and intent of thought.
Even mysterious, critical thinking gurus can be found. It is up to us to look
more closely and realize that behind a result is a disciplined process at play.
We can find this out in two ways. First, look for patterns that repeat in smart
solutions. Second, think of a critical thinker that you respect. Ask him to
show his line of reasoning. When you look more sensitive to mentors, they
tend to appear "magically" before your eyes.
Critical thinking is a very useful capacity and nowadays very sought after by
society, both at work level and in other aspects of life. Therefore it is of great
interest to be able to enhance it. For this purpose we have various activities
and habits that can be useful to us.
