Critical Thinking: Strategies for Decision Making

by Feldman, Daniel

• ISBN13: 9781560526483
• ISBN10: 1560526483
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-02-12
• Publisher: Crisp Learning

Summary

By learning the critical thinking strategies outlined within this book, you will make effective decisions based on careful evaluation, develop the best solutions to problems, identify key issues without getting sidetracked, and use critical thinking to write and speak with impact.

Table of Contents

Understanding Critical vs. Non-Critical Thinking
The Case for Critical Thinking	3	(4)
Recognizing Deceptive Reasoning	7	(5)
Detecting Emotional Manipulation	12	(4)
Styles of Non-Critical Thinking	16	(4)
Critical Thinking Styles	20	(4)
Becoming a Critical Thinker	24	(11)
Recognizing and Evaluating Arguments
Defining Arguments	35	(29)
Step 1: Pinpointing Issues	38	(5)
Step 2: Identifying Arguments	43	(4)
Step 3: Seeking Clarity	47	(3)
Step 4: Understanding Context	50	(4)
Step 5: Finding Credibility	54	(3)
Step 6: Looking for Consistency	57	(3)
Step 7: Judging Arguments	60	(4)
Presenting Ideas Powerfully	64	(7)
Developing and Evaluating Explanations
Explanations vs. Arguments	71	(3)
Formulating Explanations	74	(10)
Element 1: Gathering Information	75	(2)
Element 2: Processing Information	77	(3)
Element 3: Developing Hypotheses	80	(3)
Element 4: Testing Hypotheses	83	(1)
Asking Discovery Questions	84	(3)
Challenging Assumptions	87	(4)
Appendix
Reviewing What You've Learned	91	(2)
Author's Suggested Responses to the Exercises	93	(3)
Author's Suggested Responses to the Case Studies	96	(5)
Additional Reading	101