Foundation and Basics of Critical Thinking

1. Critical Thinking
Stephanie Chairez

2. The Introduction
• What is Critical Thinking?
• How does thinking impact us?
• What are arguments?

3. What IS Critical Thinking?
• Critical Thinking: “is the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully
conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered
from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a
guide to belief and action” (Critical Thinking Community)”
• “A critical thinker is willing to challenge his or her most deepest held
beliefs” (Prof. Marteney)
• It CAN be learned

4. Looking at it a different way
• Your friend tells you it’s going to rain
• You may ask:
• How do you know that?
• Is this based on evidence or gut feelings?
• Are there alternative possibilities?

5. The Critical Thinking Process
Inform
Discover
and
Analyze
Test,
Revise, and
Apply
• INFORM
• Clarify what you know and what
you need to know
• DISCOVER & ANALYZE
• Take a deeper look into your issue
and its aspects
• Purposely seek information
• TEST, REVISE AND APPLY
• Test the different ideas
• Revise the evidence
• Apply to your day-to-day or the
situation

6. The Impact of Critical Thinking
• Focuses on relevant information
• Helps one know and understand the difference
between facts and assumptions/opinions
• Assists in setting priorities and establish goals
• Enforces effective communication
• Opens alternative systems of thought

7. How to Improve Critical Thinking
1. SEEK ideas!
o Do research through books, the
internet, articles, magazines, etc.
o Brainstorm rare thoughts
o Experiment
2. BE DIFFERENT
3. Keep and open mind
o ASK questions
4. Apply to day-to-day life

8. What are Arguments?
• An Argument is a claim backed by reasons that
are supported by evidence.
• “Having an argument involves two or more individuals
responding to one another's claim and support for
such a claim” (University of Pittsburgh).
• An argument is not simply restating the same claims and
reasons, rather it is supporting, modifying or defending the
position(s)

9. Two Types of Arguing
Destructive Arguing
• Occurs when a person disagrees to
win the argument
• Goal: to make the other person lose
• Most often produces negative results
Constructive Arguing
• Occurs when the participants want to
sincerely resolve a disagreement
• Goal: to find the most valid solution
and to arrive at a better conclusion
• Ultimately, the better way to go when
arguing

10. Summary
• Critical Thinking is applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information
• Critical Thinking CAN be learned
• To become a Critical Thinker it is important to: be informed, discover & analyze, and test, revise
and apply!
• Arguments are claims backed up by reasons which are supported with evidence
• Two Types of Arguments
1. Destructive
2. Constructive