Anyone who wishes to master an activity must first understand its tools and rules. This is as true of critical thinking as it is of golf, carpentry, flying a plane, or brain surgery. In critical thinking, however, the tools are not material objects but concepts, and the rules govern mental rather than physical performance.
想要掌握一项活动的任何人首先必须理解它的工具和规则。这对于批判性思考同样适用，就像高尔夫、木工、飞行或者脑外科一样。然而，在批判性思考中，工具不是物质对象，而是概念，规则管理的是精神表现而不是物理表现。
This first section explores seven important concepts—individuality, critical thinking, truth, knowledge, opinion, evidence, and argument— with a chapter devoted to each. Most of these concepts are so familiar that you may be inclined to wonder whether there is any point to examining them.
这第一部分探索了七个重要的概念——个性、批判性思考、真理、知识、观点、证据和论证——每一章都专门讨论一个。这些概念中的大部分都非常熟悉，你可能会倾向于想知道检查它们是否有任何意义。
The answer is yes, for three reasons. First, much of what is commonly believed about these concepts is mistaken. Second, whoever examines them carefully is always rewarded with fresh insights. Third, the more thorough your knowledge of these concepts, the more proficient you will be in your thinking.
答案是肯定的，原因有三。首先，关于这些概念的常见认知中有很多是错误的。其次，谁如果仔细研究这些概念，总是能得到新的洞见。第三，你对这些概念的了解越深入，你的思考能力就越强。
Suppose someone asked, “Who are you?” It would be simple enough to respond with your name. But if the person wanted to know the entire story about who you are, the question would be more difficult to answer. You’d obviously have to give the details of your height, age, and weight.
假设有人问：“你是谁？”简单地回答你的名字就可以了。但是，如果这个人想知道关于你是谁的全部故事，那么问题就难以回答了。显然，你必须提供你的身高、年龄和体重的详细信息。
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