Critical thinking by john chaffee

1. Course: Critical Thinking
 First Session
 What is Critical Thinking? “Definition”
 Importance of Critical Thinking to Student/Society
 Critical Thinking Standards
 Benefits of Critical Thinking
 Barriers of Critical Thinking
 Characteristics
 Facilitator: Ms. Qazi Safia Hussain

2. What is Critical Thinking?
Definitions:
 the process of actively and skillfully
conceptualizing, applying, analyzing,
synthesizing, and evaluating information to
reach an answer or conclusion.
 disciplined thinking that is clear, rational, open-
minded, and informed by evidence.

3. Not a Critical Thinker!

4. CRITICAL
THINKING
SKILLS
Analyzing
Reasoning
Evaluating
Decision Making Problem Solving
What is critical thinking?

5. What is Critical Thinking?
 Reasoning- the action of thinking about something in a
logical, sensible way.
 Analyzing-discover or reveal (something) through detailed
examination.
 Evaluating- form an idea of the amount, number, or value of;
assess
 Decision Making- the action or process of making decisions,
especially important ones.
 Problem Solving- the process of finding solutions to difficult
or complex issues.

6. Importance of Critical Thinking-Students
 Can you analyze situations?
 Can you solve problems?
 Can you communicate your position logically?
 Can you make good decisions (based on data, not
feelings)?

7. Importance of Critical Thinking-
Society
 Failure in critical thinking are disastrous
 Mishaps, Mislead Information, Adverse Effect on people.
 Faulty critical thinking can lead to wrong conclusions
 Biased polls adversely affect public opinion- Example: Elections
 80 percent of Americans think the government is hiding
knowledge of the existence of aliens. 3 million Americans
believe they've had a possible encounter with aliens

8. Critical Thinking Standards
The most significant critical (intellectual) thinking
standards:
 Clarity (ask for example, clear your confusions)
 Accuracy (check the result-test it)
 Precision (precise and specific details)
 Relevance (question should be relevant)
 Depth (complexities of your question, all problems
addressed)
 Logic (makes sense, A man can fly only in movies)
 Fairness (Impartial, Un-Biased)

9. Benefits of Critical
Thinking
 Academics
 You will learn to critically evaluate arguments and beliefs.
 You will be able to understand things clearly and can
deliver better.
 Workplace
 Open Mindedness- to adapt changes.
 You will become more analytical in solving problems.
 Daily Life
 Helps us to avoid making foolish personal decisions.
 Becomes capable of making good decisions on important social,
political and economic issues

10. Barriers to Critical
Thinking
 Some common barriers that encourages us to
think critically.
 Lack of information
 Poor reading and listening skills
 Prejudice
 Narrow Mindedness
 Stereotyping
 Fear of Change

11. Barriers to Critical
Thinking
 Self Centered Thinking (I am the best)
 Self Interested
 Self Served
 Group Centered Thinking (We are the best team in the world)
 Group Bias
 Conformism
 Unwarranted Assumptions (Muslims are terrorist, Pink color is
for girls only)
 Assumptions
 Stereotyping
 Wishful Thinking: Believing that something is true, just
because you wished it to be.

12. Characteristics of Critical
Thinker
 Open Minded
 Honest
 Courage
 Passion
 Aware
 Welcomes Criticism
 Independent