Critical thinking

1. If evidence is lacking, so what?
‘ A W I S E M A N , T H E R E F O R E , P R O P O R T I O N S
H I S B E L I E F T O T H E E V I D E N C E ’
DAVID HUME ( 1 7 1 1 - 1 7 76)

2. What is the point of critical thinking?
 Why should we think critically and rationally?
 Why does it matter?
 What harm is there in believing in something if it
makes you feel good or provides you with comfort, or
gives you hope?
 If evidence is lacking so what?

3. Belief and evidence
Where do our beliefs
Come from ?
BRAINSTORM THE WAYS IN WHICH PEOPLE ACQUIRE
BELIEFS
School and
learning

4. The problem with observation and authority

5. Task
 You will be divided into 3 or 4 groups and each group
will watch an episode of South Park
 All about Mormons
 The biggest douche in the universe
 Trapped in the closet
 (Super best friends if 4 groups)
 You will then carry out a 15 minute presentation on
the following …

6. Your presentation will need to focus on the following
 Give a brief outline of the episode – what is the theme and plot?
 What beliefs are being presented to the boys and the people of South
Park?
 Are the beliefs based on proof or evidence?
 Why do you think people decide to adopt those beliefs?
 Is it dangerous to adopt the beliefs as facts? Why?
 What does Stan learn from having listened and learnt from the people
involved – Do you agree with them?
 You will need to use a multi-media tool in order to edit sections of the
episode, that you will use to enhance your presentation (approx 6 mins
of presentations time)
 Link your presentation at some point to Voltaire’s quote
‘Those that can make you believe absurdities can make you commit
atrocities’
Voltaire (1694-1778)
 Any other points relating to what we have studied so far in philosophy

7. Rational belief requires EVIDENCE
 Beliefs like that of the church of Scientologists or the
Book of Mormon need evidence to back them up
 Mormon/Scientology beliefs should be rejected unless
they can be defended
 They need to provide what Philosophers call the ‘burden
of proof’, in other words they need to provide evidence or
proof for their claims
 Formulating beliefs and making decisions without
sufficient evidence always leads to trouble
 Would you really choose a university, career, place to
live, or anything for that matter without examining the
facts involved

8. Inquiry, Hard Work and Progress – Stan sums it up
brilliantly
 ‘You see, I learned something today. At first I
thought you were all just stupid listening to this
douche’s advice but now I understand that
you’re all here because your scared. You’re
scared of death and he offers you some kind of
understanding. You all want to believe in it so
much, I know you do. You find comfort in the
thought that your loved ones are floating
around trying to talk to you, but think about it:
is that really what you want? To just be floating
around after you die having to talk to this
asshole? We need to recognise this stuff or what
it really is: magic tricks. Because whatever is
really going on in life and in death is much
more amazing than this douche.’