Every day, a sea of decisions stretches before us.
每天我们都要面对一大堆的选择
Some are small and unimportant, but others have a larger impact on our lives.
一些选择很小而且并不重要，但有一些则对我们生活有很大的影响。
For example, which politician should I vote for?
例如，我应该去投哪个政治家
Should I try the latest diet craze?
我应该去品尝最新的热门菜吗？
Or will email make me a millionaire?
或者邮件能够是我成为百万富翁吗？
We're bombarded with so many decisions that it's impossible to make a perfect choice every time.
我们被如此多的选择炮轰着，似乎不能每次都做出完美的选择。
But there are many ways to improve our chances, and one particularly effective technique is critical thinking.
但是有很多方法能够让你接近完美选择，其中一种有效的技巧就是批判性思考
This is a way of approaching a question that allows us to carefully deconstruct a situation, reveal its hidden issues, such as bias and manipulation, and make the best decision.
这是一种接近问题的方法使我们解析一个状态，揭露它隐藏的问题，例如偏见和伪造，然后做出最好的决定。
If the critical part sounds negative that's because in a way, it is.
如果批判的部分是无预期结果的，那是因为在某种程度上它就是这样。
Rather than choosing an answer because it feels right, a person who uses critical thinking subjects all available options to scrutiny and skepticism.
一个人使用批判性思考会对所有可能的选项进行审查和怀疑，而不是选择感觉对的那个答案。
scrutiny监视，详细审查 skepticism 怀疑态度
Using the tools at their disposal, they'll eliminate everything but the most useful and reliable information.
支配批判性思维这个工具，他们会排除所有选项只剩下最有用和最可靠的信息。
There are many different ways of approaching critical thinking, but here's one five-step process that may help you solve any number of problems.
有很多方法能够进行批判性思考，但是这里有一个五步方法能够帮助你解决一些问题
One: formulate your question.
1: 构建你的问题
In other words, know what you're looking for.
换句话说，知道你在寻找什么
This isn't always as straightforward as it sounds.
这并不像它听起来那么直截了当
For example, if you're deciding whether to try out the newest diet craze, your reasons for doing so may be obscured by other factors, like claims that you'll see results in just two weeks.
例如，如果你正在决定是否要尝试最新的菜品，你这么做的原因可能会被其他因素掩盖，你会在两周内看到结果
But if you approach the situation with a clear view of what you're actually trying to accomplish by dieting, whether that's weight loss, better nutrition, or having more energy ,that'll equip you to sift through this information critically, find what you're looking for, and decide whether the new fad really suits your needs.
但是如果你对你想要从饮食中获取什么有清晰的想法，不论是减重，丰富的营养或是能量，这些会帮助你批判性的筛选，找到你想要的，决定新的热门是否是你的需求
Two: gather your information.
2:收集信息
There's lots of it out there, so having a clear idea of your question will help you determine what's relevant.
信息有很多，所以有一个明确的问题能够帮助你确定什么是相关的
If you're trying to decide on a diet to improve your nutrition, you may ask an expert for their advice, or seek other people's testimonies.
如果你想通过饮食获取更多的营养，你也许会从专家那里获取建议，或从其他人那里获取证据
Information gathering helps you weigh different options, moving you closer to a decision that meets your goal.
信息收集帮助你权衡不同的选择，将你向能够满足你目标的决定推进
Three: apply the information, something you do by asking critical questions.
3:利用信息，需要通过提问批判性的问题
Facing a decision, ask yourself, "What concepts are at work?"
当面对选择时，问你自己，“什么样的观念有效？”
"What assumptions exist?" "Is my interpretation of the information logically sound?"
“什么样的假设有理？”“我对信息的阐述是否符合逻辑？“
For example, in an email that promises you millions, you should consider, "What is shaping my
approach to this situation?"
例如，一封邮件承诺给你数百万，你应该想一下“是什么能够让我符合这个承诺？”
"Do I assume the sender is telling the truth?" "Based on the evidence, is it logical
to assume I'll win any money?"
“我能够假定发送者在讲真话吗？”“在有证据的基础上，我将会赢到这些钱是否符合逻辑？”
Four: consider the implications.
4:考虑一些暗示
Imagine it's election time, and you've selected a political candidate based on their promise to make
it cheaper for drivers to fill up on gas.
想象一下选举的时候，你投一个候选人是建立在他们承诺会让汽油价格更便宜
At first glance, that seems great.
乍一看，这似乎很棒
But what about the long-term environmental effects?
但是对环境的长远影响呢？
If gasoline use is less restricted by cost, this could also cause a huge surge in air pollution, an unintended consequence that's important to think about.
如果不用价格来限制汽油的使用，这将会导致严重的空气污染，后果不堪设想
Five: explore other points of view.
5:探索其他的的观点
Ask yourself why so
many people are drawn to the policies of the opposing political candidate.
问问自己，为什么有那么多的人支持对手候选人
Even if you disagree with everything that candidate says, exploring the full spectrum of view points might explain why some policies that don't seem valid to you appeal to others.
即使你不同意对手候选人所说的一切，去了解更多的观点也许能解释为什么虽然一些政策没有吸引你却吸引了其他人
This will allow you
to explore alternatives, evaluate your own choices, and ultimately help you make
more informed decisions.
这会使你寻找替代物，评估你自己的选择，最终帮助你做出更有效的决定
This five-step
process is just one tool, and it certainly won't eradicate difficult decisions
from our lives.
这个五步方法只是一个工具，它当人不会解决我们生活中的所有苦难的选择
But it can help us increase the number of positive choices we make.
但是却能帮助我们增加做出积极决定的机会
Critical thinking can
give us the tools to sift through a sea of information and find what we're
looking for.
批判性思维能够给我们一个工具从信息的海洋中筛选我们所需的
And if enough of us
use it, it has the power to make the world a more reasonable place.
如果我们充分的利用它，就能够使这个世界变成一个更合理的地方
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