Art of Thinking, The: A Guide to Critical and Creative Thought

by Ruggiero, Vincent R.

• ISBN13: 9780321163325
• ISBN10: 032116332X
• Edition: 7th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-01-01
• Publisher: Longman

Summary

Accessible and engaging, this unique text offers strategies for critical and creative thinking and includes many opportunities for practicing these fundamental skills.This text introduces students to the principles and techniques of critical thinking, taking them step-by-step through the problem-solving process. Emphasizing creative and active thought processes, the author asserts that good thinking isn't merely knowing whatnotto do; it is knowing whattodo. Discussions of how to evaluate ideas and how to question long-held assumptions or biases help students look at concepts critically. Brief guides to composing, speaking, and logic show students how to apply the skills that enable them to become clear and creative thinkers.

Table of Contents

Each chapter concludes with ôWarm-Up Excercises,ö ôApplications,ö and ôComposition or Speech Excercise.ö

To the Instructor

Be Aware

Developing Your Thinking: An Overview

What Is Thinking?

The Importance of Thinking

Brain and Mind at Work

The Production Phase

The Judgment Phase

Good Thinking Is a Habit

The Structure of This Book

Getting the Most from Your Efforts

Using Feelings to Advantage

Learning to Concentrate

Coping with Frustration

Making Discussion Meaningful

Preliminary Thinking Strategies

Sample Exercises and Responses

Establish a Foundation

Free Will versus Determinism

What Is Truth?

What Is Knowing?

Ways of Knowing

Experience

Observation

Report

The Problem of Remembering

What Are Opinions?

Expressions of Taste

Expressions of Judgment

Debating Moral Questions

The Basis of Moral Judgment

Dealing with Dilemmas

Broaden Your Perspective

Becoming an Individual

Habits That Hinder Thinking

The Mine-Is-Better Habit

Face Saving

Resistance to Change

Conformity

Stereotyping

Self-Deception

Overcoming Bad Habits

Be a Critical Reader

Critical Reading Defined

Making Important Distinctions

The Distinction Between the Person and the Idea

The Distinction Between Matters of Taste and Matters of Judgment

The Distinction Between Fact and Interpretation

The Distinction Between Literal and Ironic Statements

The Distinction Between an Idea's Validity and the Quality of Its Expression

The Distinction Between Language and Reality

A Strategy for Critical Reading

Step 1: Skim

Step 2: Reflect

Step 3: Read

Step 4: Evaluate

Expressing Your Judgment

A Sample Evaluation

Be Creative

The Creative Process

Key Facts About Creativity

Characteristics of Creative People

Applying Creativity to Problems and Issues

Taking a Novel Approach

Devising or Modifying a Process or System

Inventing a New Product or Service

Finding New Uses for Existing Things

Improving Things

Inventing or Redefining a Concept

Stages in the Creative Process

The First Stage: Searching for Challenges

The Second Stage: Expressing the Problem or Issue

The Third Stage: Investigating the Problem or Issue

The Fourth Stage: Producing Ideas

Search for Challenges

The Importance of Curiosity

How Curiosity Is Lost

Regaining Your Curiosity

Six Helpful Techniques

Be Observant

Look for Imperfections

Note Your Own and Others' Dissatisfactions

Search for Causes

Be Sensitive to Implications

Recognize the Opportunity in Controversy

Express the Problem or Issue

Distinguishing Problems from Issues

Expressing Problems

Expressing Issues

When Problems Become Issues

Guidelines for Expressing Problems and Issues

Benefits of Careful Expression

It Helps You Move Beyond the Familiar and Habitual

It Keeps Your Thinking Flexible

It Opens Many Lines of Thought

A Sample Problem

A Sample Issue

Investigate the Problem or Issue

What to Look for

Eyewit

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.