Unit 1 Thinking and reasoning

1.1 Thinking as a skill

This book is about those kinds of thinking that take conscious effort. (Most of our thinking takes little or no conscious effort. [1])

Higher order thinking skills (such as analysis, evaluation, problem solving, decision making) requires initiative and independence

Two criteria of thinking: 1) difficulty of problem 2) quality of thinking (by reasoning? Mechanical obtain or guess?)

Reasoning

Reasoning is the process by which we advance from what we know already to new knowledge and understanding.

Creative Thinking

"free range.."

Reflection

thinking about thinking

Reasoning, Creative Thinking, Reflection are 3 higher order thinking, they all overlap.

1.2 An introduction to critical thinking

But a serious critical judgement is more than just a statement of preference or taste. (often requires expertise)

3 Activities of Critical Thinking

- analysis

- evaluation

- further arguments

Attitude

e.g. When reading an article or news, passively accept or too quickly dismissive is NOT critical thinking.

Critical Thinking should be:

- fair and open-minded

Objectively...

- active and informed

Uninformed one is never critical. Investigate, enquire, research.

- skeptical

Some degree...Not skeptical to everything.

- indepedant

Initiative, not always listen to others.

1) whether the claims are believable?

e.g. "hearsay" evidence counts very little. 

2) If all the claims are believable, will that strongly support the main claim?

1.3 Solutions not problems 

Basic Problem Solving Skills

- relevant selection

- finding procedures

- identifying similarities

//我的想法

【1】周全缜密的思维可以在事情一开始就避免跳进很多坑。。。