CRITICAL THINKING, BIAS, & BIBLICAL INTEGRATION ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS OVERVIEW You will explore the art of critical thinking. According to Paul and Elder (2001) “Critical thinking is the mode of

Students can use it to improve their learning in any content area.

Its generic skills apply to all subjects. For example, critical thinkers are clear as to the purpose at hand and the question at issue. They question information, conclusions, and points of view. They strive to be clear, accurate, precise, and relevant. They seek to think beneath the surface, to be logical, and fair. They apply these skills to their reading and writing as well as to their speaking and listening. They apply them in history, science, math, philosophy, and the arts; in professional and personal life. When this guide is used as a supplement to the textbook in multiple courses, students begin to perceive the usefulness of critical thinking in every domain of learning. And if their instructors provide examples of the application of the subject to daily life, students begin to see that education is a tool for improving the quality of their lives. If you are a student using this mini-guide, get in the habit of carrying it with you to every class. Consult it frequently in analyzing and synthesizing what you are learning. Aim for deep internalization of the principles you find in it—until using them becomes second nature. If successful, this guide will serve faculty, students, and the educational program simultaneously. Richard Paul Linda Elder Center for Critical Thinking Foundation for Critical Thinking LIMITED DOWNLOAD COPY The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking Concepts and Tools Fourth Edition © 2006 Foundation for Critical Thinking www.criticalthinking.org Contents Why Critical Thinking? �� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 4 The Elements of Thought� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 5 A Checklist for Reasoning � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 6 Questions Using the Elements of Thought � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �8 The Problem of Egocentric Thinking � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �9 Universal Intellectual Standards � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 10 Template for Analyzing the Logic of Articles and Textbooks � � � �13 Criteria for Evaluating Reasoning � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �14 Essential Intellectual Traits � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 15 Three Kinds of Questions � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 18 A Template for Problem-Solving � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �19 Analyzing and Assessing Research � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �20 What Critical Thinkers Routinely Do � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �21 Stages of Critical Thinking Development � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �22 LIMITED DOWNLOAD COPY © 2006 Foundation for Critical Thinking www.criticalthinking.org The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking Concepts and Tools Why Critical Thinking? The Problem:

Everyone thinks; it is our nature to do so. But much of our thinking, left to itself, is biased, distorted, partial, uninformed or down-right prejudiced. Yet the quality of our life and that of what we produce, make, or build depends precisely on the quality of our thought. Shoddy thinking is costly, both in money and in quality of life. Excellence in thought, however, must be system- atically cultivated.

A Definition:

Critical thinking is the art of analyzing and evaluating thinking with a view to i mproving it.

The Result:

A well cultivated critical thinker:

• ra ises vital questions and problems, formulating them clearly and precisely; • g athers and assesses relevant information, using abstract ideas to interpret it effectively; • c omes to well-reasoned conclusions and solutions, testing them against relevant criteria and standards; • t hinks openmindedly within alternative systems of thought, recognizing and assessing, as need be, their assumptions, implications, and practical consequences; and • c ommunicates effectively with others in figuring out solutions to complex problems.

Critical thinking is, in short, self-directed, self-disciplined, self-monitored, a nd self-corrective thinking. It requires rigorous standards of excellence and mindful command of their use. It entails effective communication and problem solving abilities and a commitment to overcome our native egocen- trism and sociocentrism.

LIMITED DOWNLOAD COPY © 2006 Foundation for Critical Thinking www.criticalthinking.org The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking Concepts and Tools The Elements of Thought Point of View frame of reference, perspective,orientation Purpose goal, objective Question at issue problem, issue Information data, facts, observations, experiences Interpretation and inference conclusions, solutions Concepts theories, definitions, axioms, laws, principles, models Assumptions presupposition, taking for granted Implications and Consequences Used With Sensitivity to Universal Intellectual Standards Clarity  Accuracy  Depth  Breadth  Significance Precision Relevance LIMITED DOWNLOAD COPY © 2006 Foundation for Critical Thinking www.criticalthinking.org 12 The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking Concepts and Tools Clarity Could you elaborate further?

Could you give me an example?

Could you illustrate what you mean? Accuracy How could we check on that?

How could we find out if that is true?

How could we verify or test that? Precision Could you be more specific?

Could you give me more details?

Could you be more exact? Relevance How does that relate to the problem?

How does that bear on the question?

How does that help us with the issue? Depth What factors make this a difficult problem?

What are some of the complexities of this question?

What are some of the difficulties we need to deal with? Breadth Do we need to look at this from another perspective?

Do we need to consider another point of view?

Do we need to look at this in other ways? Logic Does all this make sense together?

Does your first paragraph fit in with your last?

Does what you say follow from the evidence? Significance Is this the most important problem to consider?

Is this the central idea to focus on?

Which of these facts are most important? Fairness Do I have any vested interest in this issue?

Am I sympathetically representing the viewpoints of others?

LIMITED DOWNLOAD COPY © 2006 Foundation for Critical Thinking www.criticalthinking.org The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking Concepts and Tools 1 Intellectual Integrity Confidence in Reason Intellectual Autonomy Intellectual Humility Intellectual Courage Intellectual Perseverance Intellectual Empathy Fairmindedness Intellectual Traits or Virtues LIMITED DOWNLOAD COPY © 2006 Foundation for Critical Thinking www.criticalthinking.org The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking Concepts and Tools 21 Critical thinkers routinely apply the intellectual standards to the elements of reasoning in order to develop intellectual traits. Clarity Accuracy Relevance Logicalness Breadth Precision Significance Completeness Fairness Depth Th e S T a n d a r d S Purposes Questions Points of view Information Inferences Concepts Implications Assumptions Th e e l e m e n T S Intellectual Humility Intellectual Autonomy Intellectual Integrity Intellectual Courage Intellectual Perseverance Confidence in Reason Intellectual Empathy Fairmindedness In Te l l e c Tua l T r a I T S As we learn to develop Must be applied to LIMITED DOWNLOAD COPY