This document discusses critical thinking and its importance in the digital age. It outlines that critical thinking is the ability to distinguish good arguments from bad ones based on logical rules. This is a crucial skill for citizens to have in a democracy and when evaluating online information, as there are many attempts to persuade people irrationally. The document also covers common argument structures like premises and conclusions, as well as fallacies to watch out for. It emphasizes that critical thinking is needed to filter through vast online information and find truly valuable knowledge.

1. Critical Thinking and Information
Technology
Soraj Hongladarom
Department of Philosophy
Faculty of Arts
Chulalongkorn University
hsoraj@chula.ac.th

2. Outline

What is critical thinking?

Why is critical thinking important?

Basic elements of critical thinking

How to recognize false arguments when you are
online.

3. Critical Thinking

Ability to distinguish between good and bad
arguments.

Good arguments – those that follow the rules of
logic

One should believe only the conclusions of good
arguments.

There are several ways in which arguments can
be bad.

4. Critical Thinking

In the situation where there are many attempts to
persuade people to believe in many things,
critical thinking ability is crucial.

It is very important for a citizen in a democracy
to have critical thinking ability, because citizens
have to deliberate on public issues. Without the
ability they will become prey to irrational
persuasions.

5. Arguments

Premise and conclusion

If it rains, then the road is wet.

It rains.

Therefore, the road is wet.

All arts students love reading.

Samorn is an arts students.

Therefore, Samorn loves reading.

6. Arguments

If it rains, then the road is wet.

The road is wet.

Therefore, it rains.

All arts students love reading.

Somsri loves reading.

Therefore, Somsri is an arts students.

7. Arguments

Good arguments are those whose conclusions
should be believed.

Deductive

Inductive

Deductive: There are algorithmic rules to decide
validity

Inductive: No such rules

Validity: If the premises are all true, then the
conclusion must be true.

8. Fallacies

Bad arguments that people make in order to try to
convince others.

Many forms of fallacies.

Formal

Psychological

One finds many kinds of fallacies in online
discussions.

9. Common Fallacies

Statistical fallacies

Ad hominem

Ad vericundiam

Two wrongs don’t make a right

Red herring (changing the subject)

Ad ignorantiam

Ad populum

10. Filtering Knowledge

One of the most important skills in the online
world is to know how to sift through the glut of
information to search for really valuable pieces.

This is like sifting through a lot of sand to find
gold.

Critical thinking skills become essential.

11. Filtering Knowledge

Contexts or situation of our search becomes
relevant too.

Sources of the website

Wikipedia

Peer-reviewed journals

Online articles

Reputable newspapers