Every day, a sea of decisions stretches before us. Some are small and unimportant, but other have a larger impact on our lives.
For example, which politician should I vote for? should I try the latest diet craze? Or will email make me a millionaire?
a sea of decisions stretches很多， 大量的决定
the latest diet craze 最新的减肥食谱（节食热潮）
impact on 对 影响
无时无刻，我们都在做大量的决定。有些微不足道，有些则对我们的一生都有很大影响（举足轻重）。比如说，我该投票给哪个政客？我该试试最新的减肥食谱吗？或者，这封邮件会让我成百万富翁吗？
we're bombarded with so many decisions that it's impossible to make a perfect choice every time.
But there are many ways to improve our chances, and one particularly effective technique is critical thinking.
be bombarded with 被轰炸 被信息淹没
so many那么多的;很多(的)
我们被太多事情轮番轰炸，不可能每次都作出完美的选择。但是有很多方法可以提高我们做出完美选择的几率，其中一个特别有效的方法，就是批判性思维。（其中尤为有效的一种方法，就是批判性思维）
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.
这个解决问题的思维方式，能让我们一丝不苟地分析形势，发现隐藏的问题，例如偏见和控制，并作出做好的决定。（这是一种走进问题本身的方法，可以让我们仔细地抽丝剥茧剖析现状，揭露偏见和认为操纵等隐藏问题，从而做出明智的选择）
deconstruct(哲学和文学评论中)解构，拆析(观点或文本)
reveal 披露 展现
If the critical part sounds negative that's because in a way it is. Rather than choosing an answer because it feels right, a person who uses critical thinking subjects all available options to scrutiny and skepticism.
如果你觉得“批判性“听起来消极，那是因为某种意义上确实如此。
（一个具有批判性思维的人，不会因为哪个听起来不错就选哪个，而仔细审查每一个选择，并抱有怀疑态度。
相对于选择不明觉厉的答案，使用批判性思维的人会审视、怀疑的态度推敲所有可能性。）
Using the tools at their disposal, they'll eliminate everything but the most useful and reliable information.
他们会用一切手段排除其他选项，只留下最有用、最值得信赖的信息。
他们会用自己的方式做排除，只留下最可靠的信息。
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.
有许多运用批判性思维的方法，但是这里有五步法或许可以帮你解决大多数问题。
One: formulate your question.
in order words, know what you're looking for. This isn't always as straightforward as it sounds.
一：明确你的问题。准确地阐述你的问题
换言之，就是知道自己需要什么。这有时并不像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（使 模糊不清） by other factors, like claims that you'll see results in just two weeks.
例如，如果你在考虑要不要尝试最流行的饮食方法，这种方法声称“两周内就能看到效果”你做的动机（初衷）可能被其他因素所干扰
try out测试
be obscured by 被 所掩盖
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.
但是如果你面对选择时，有更明晰多观点，你真正想要通过这个饮食方法达到什么效果——为了减重也好，为了更均衡营养也好，或者为了更有活力，就使你更批判性地筛选信息，从而找到你真正想要的答案，决定这点子是否能真正符合你的需要。
但是如果你在决定前先明确自己通过节食要达到的目标，无论是为了减重、补充营养或是提高精力，你会批判性的筛选这些信息，找到你想要的，判断这一新的解释方法是否真正满足你的需求。
Two: gather your information.
二：搜集你的信息。
There's lots of it out there, so having a clear idea of your question will help you determine what's relevant. If you're trying to decide on diet to improve your nutrition, you may ask an expert for their advice, or seek other people's testimonies. Information gathering helps you weigh different options, moving you closer to a decision that meets your goal.
信息无处不在，所以明确你的问题能帮你决定哪些信息是与此相关的。如果你想通过饮食方法来摄取更多营养，你或许该咨询专家的意见，或者向他人寻求经验。搜集信息帮你权衡不同方案，使你做出更接近目标的决定。
信息太多了， 所以明确问题能帮你找出相关信息。如果你想通过控制饮食来增强营养的吸收，你可能会像专家咨询意见或者寻找过来人的经验。搜集信息帮你权衡不同方案，使你做出符合目标的决定。
Three: apply the information.
something you do by asking critical questions. Facing a decision, ask yourself, "What concepts are at work?" "What assumptions exist?" "Is my interpretation of the information logically sounds?"
三：运用信息
即使问批判性问题，当你面对一个选择时，先问问自己，“这件事的本质概念是什么？“”存在哪些假设？“”我对信息的推断逻辑正确吗？”
可以通过提出关键性问题对信息加以运用，面对一个选择时，问问自己“哪些概念要用到？”寻在几种假设“”我对信息的解读符合逻辑吗？“
For emample, in an email that promises you millions, you should consider, " what is shaping my approach to this situation?"例如，在一邮件声称给你上百万，你该考虑一下：“我做出决定的动定的动机是什么（是什么促使我对此做出判断？“
"Do I assume the sender is telling the truth?" "Based on the evidence, is it logical to assume I'll win any money?" 我认为该发件人说的是实话吗？ 从现实来看（基于实证），我有可能赢钱吗？
基于证据，我能赢钱的假设合乎逻辑吗
Four: consider the implications. 四：考虑后果及影响。（考虑潜在影响）
Imagine it's a election times, and you selected a political candidate based on their promise to make it cheaper for drivers to fill up on gas.想象一下现在是大选期，你选择支持的候选人是基于他承诺让汽油更便宜。（你根据一位参选者降低油价的承诺而决定选他）
At first glance, that seems great. But what about the long-term environmental effects? 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. 乍一听，好像挺不错。但长期来讲会对环境造成什么影响呢？如果不用高价限制汽油的使用，这将导致环境污染激增（空气污染可能汹涌袭来），考虑这种潜在影响是非常重要的。
Five: explore other points of view. 五：了解其他观点（探究其他观点）
Ask yourself why so many people are drawn to the policies of the opposing political candidate.问问你自己为什么那么多人被对方候选人政策所吸引呢？
Even if you disagree with everything that candidate says, exploring the full spectrum of viewpoints might explain why some policies that don't seem valid to you appeal to others. This will allow you to explore alternatives, evaluate your own choices, and ultimately help you make more informed decisions.
尽管你一点都不认同那个候选人所说的，你也要探究它全方位的观点，弄清楚为什么你不感兴趣的政策会吸引别人。这使你更进一步探索其他选择，评估自己的选项，最终做出更明知的决定。
This five-step process is just one tool, and it certainly won't eradicate difficult decisions from our lives.这五个步骤仅仅是工具，他无法为我们彻底根除生活中的难题，
But it can help us to increase the number of positive choices we make. Critical thinking can give us the tools to sift through a sea of information and find what we're looking for. And if enough of us use it, it has the power to make the world a more reasonable place.但可以帮我们做出更多更好的决定。批判性思维给予我们筛选海量信息的方法，找到我们真正想要的。如果越来越多人拥有批判性思维，世界将更理性。
informed decisions明知的选择
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