LESSON Critical Thinking and Reasoning skills LESSON SUMMARY You' ve probably heard the terms "critical thinking "and"reasoning skills many times, in many different contexts. But what exactly does it mean to"think critically And just what are"reas answer these questions and show you why critical thinking and rea soning skills are so important N o matter who you are or what you do, you have to make decisions on a regular basis. You may not realize it, but even those decisions that seem like second nature-like deciding what to wear when you're getting dressed in the morning-require some critical thinking and reasoning skills. When you decide what to wear, you take many factors into consideration-the weather forecast; the current tempera ture; your plans for the day( where are you going? who will you see? ) your comfort level (will you be walking a lot? sitting all day?); and so on. Thus, you are already a critical thinker on some level. But your life is complicated and you face decisions that are much more difficult than choosing what to wear. How do you handle a conflict? Solve a problem? Resolve a crisis? Make a moral or ethical decision?
No matter who you are or what you do, you have to make decisions on a regular basis. You may not realize it, but even those decisions that seem like second nature—like deciding what to wear when you’re getting dressed in the morning—require some critical thinking and reasoning skills. When you decide what to wear, you take many factors into consideration—the weather forecast; the current temperature; your plans for the day (where are you going? who will you see?); your comfort level (will you be walking a lot? sitting all day?); and so on. Thus, you are already a critical thinker on some level. But your life is complicated, and you face decisions that are much more difficult than choosing what to wear. How do you handle a conflict? Solve a problem? Resolve a crisis? Make a moral or ethical decision? LESSON Critical Thinking and Reasoning Skills LESSON SUMMARY You’ve probably heard the terms “critical thinking” and “reasoning skills” many times, in many different contexts. But what exactly does it mean to “think critically”? And just what are “reasoning skills”? This lesson will answer these questions and show you why critical thinking and reasoning skills are so important. 1 15
CRITICAL THINKING AND REASONING SKILLS Critical thinking is so important because it helps " The person who thinks before he acts seldom has to apologize for his acts. Napoleon Hill How to best solve a problem (Think and Grow Rich Whether to accept or reject a claim How to best answer a question How to best handle a situation While there's no guarantee you'll always make he right decision or find the most effective solution to Reasoning skills a problem, there is a way to significantly improve your Reasoning skills, on the other hand, deal more with the odds--and that is by improving your critical thinking process of getting from point A, the problem, to point and reasoning skills B, the solution. You can get there haphazardly, or you can get there by reason A What Are critical Thinking and justification for thoughts, actions, or opinions. In Reasoning skills? other words, it's why you do, say, or think what you do To improve your critical thinking and reasoning skills, reasonable-as you know if you've ever done or said you need to know exactly what they are something in the heat of the moment. Reasoning skills ask you to use good sense and base your reasons Critical Thinking on facts, evidence, or logical conclusions rather than Think for a minute about the words critical thinking. just on your emotions. In short, when you decide on What does this phrase mean? Essentially, critical think- the best way to handle a situation or determine the best ing is a decision-making process. Specifically, critical solution to a problem, you should have logical(rather thinking means carefully considering a problem, claim, than purely emotional) reasons for coming to that question, or situation in order to determine the best conclusion. solution. That is, when you think critically, you take the time to consider all sides of an issue, evaluate evidence nd imagine differ Logical: according to reason; according to con It sounds like a lot of work but the same basic critical clusions drawn from evidence or good com- thinking skills can be applied to all types of situations. mon sense Emotional: drawn from emotions from intense mental feeling
While there’s no guarantee you’ll always make the right decision or find the most effective solution to a problem, there is a way to significantly improve your odds—and that is by improving your critical thinking and reasoning skills. What Are Critical Thinking and Reasoning Skills? To improve your critical thinking and reasoning skills, you need to know exactly what they are. Critical Thinking Think for a minute about the words critical thinking. What does this phrase mean? Essentially, critical thinking is a decision-making process. Specifically, critical thinking means carefully considering a problem, claim, question, or situation in order to determine the best solution. That is, when you think critically, you take the time to consider all sides of an issue, evaluate evidence, and imagine different scenarios and possible outcomes. It sounds like a lot of work, but the same basic critical thinking skills can be applied to all types of situations. Critical thinking is so important because it helps you determine: ■ How to best solve a problem ■ Whether to accept or reject a claim ■ How to best answer a question ■ How to best handle a situation Reasoning Skills Reasoning skills, on the other hand, deal more with the process of getting from point A, the problem, to point B, the solution. You can get there haphazardly, or you can get there by reason. A reason is a motive or cause for something—a justification for thoughts, actions, or opinions. In other words, it’s why you do, say, or think what you do. But your reasons for doing things aren’t always reasonable—as you know if you’ve ever done or said something in the heat of the moment. Reasoning skills ask you to use good sense and base your reasons on facts, evidence, or logical conclusions rather than just on your emotions. In short, when you decide on the best way to handle a situation or determine the best solution to a problem, you should have logical (rather than purely emotional) reasons for coming to that conclusion. Logical: according to reason; according to conclusions drawn from evidence or good common sense Emotional: drawn from emotions, from intense mental feelings “The person who thinks before he acts seldom has to apologize for his acts.” —Napoleon Hill (Think and Grow Rich) –CRITICAL THINKING AND REASONING SKILLS– 16
CRITICAL THINKING AND REASONING SKILLS The Difference between Things t Reason and emotion price It would be false to say that anything emotional is not reasonable. In fact, it's perfectly valid to take your emo- 345 tions into consideration when you make decisions After all, how you feel is very important. But if there's no logic or reason behind your decisions, you're usually Answers You probably listed several important issues, such as: Let's say, for example, that you need to buy a car This is a rather big decision, so it's important that you Size and style of the car: two-door vs four-door, make it wisely. You'll want to be sure that you: roomy vS sporty Carefully consider your options Condition: new or used a Consider different possibilities and outcomes Safety features Have logical reasons to support your final de Amenities: stereo, air conditioning, and so on Overall reliability and qualit It may seem obvious that you need to choose a car that best suits your lifestyle and your budget. For exam- Comfort level: leg room, type of seats, and so on ple, as much as you might like sports cars, you shouldnt children and a tight budget. But for a variety of emo- tional reasons, many people do make these kinds of unwise, unreasonable decisions. They may have Justifying Your Decisio thought critically and still made the wrong choice because they let their emotions override their sense of One way to help ensure that you're using your critical gic and reason. thinking and reasoning skills is to always justify your decisions and actions. Why did you do what you did? Practice Why did you make that decision? Why did that seem 1. For practice, imagine this scenario-buying a like the best solution? Try this with even your most new car-and apply critical thinking and reason- everyday decisions and actions. You'll get to know ing skills to it. First, critical thinking: What dif- your current decision-making process, and you'll be ferent things should you take into consideration able to determine where in that process you can when thinking about what kind of car to buy? become more effective List at least five different considerations One already listed for you
The Difference between Reason and Emotion It would be false to say that anything emotional is not reasonable. In fact, it’s perfectly valid to take your emotions into consideration when you make decisions. After all, how you feel is very important. But if there’s no logic or reason behind your decisions, you’re usually in for trouble. Let’s say, for example, that you need to buy a car. This is a rather big decision, so it’s important that you make it wisely. You’ll want to be sure that you: ■ Carefully consider your options ■ Consider different possibilities and outcomes ■ Have logical reasons to support your final decision It may seem obvious that you need to choose a car that best suits your lifestyle and your budget. For example, as much as you might like sports cars, you shouldn’t buy the new special edition Corvette if you have four children and a tight budget. But for a variety of emotional reasons, many people do make these kinds of unwise, unreasonable decisions. They may have thought critically and still made the wrong choice because they let their emotions override their sense of logic and reason. Practice 1. For practice, imagine this scenario—buying a new car—and apply critical thinking and reasoning skills to it. First, critical thinking: What different things should you take into consideration when thinking about what kind of car to buy? List at least five different considerations. One is already listed for you. Things to consider: 1. price 2. 3. 4. 5. Answers You probably listed several important issues, such as: ■ Size and style of the car: two-door vs. four-door, roomy vs. sporty ■ Gas mileage ■ Condition: new or used ■ Safety features ■ Amenities: stereo, air conditioning, and so on ■ Overall reliability and quality ■ Manufacturer ■ Comfort level: leg room, type of seats, and so on ■ Warranty ■ Looks: color, shape, design Justifying Your Decision One way to help ensure that you’re using your critical thinking and reasoning skills is to always justify your decisions and actions. Why did you do what you did? Why did you make that decision? Why did that seem like the best solution? Try this with even your most everyday decisions and actions. You’ll get to know your current decision-making process, and you’ll be able to determine where in that process you can become more effective. –CRITICAL THINKING AND REASONING SKILLS– 17
CRITICAL THINKING AND REASONING SKILLS Practice Why Critical Thinking and 2. Imagine that you really do have to buy a car. Using Reasoning skills Are your critical thinking and reaso kills write mportant down what kind of car(model, new or used, etc. you'd buy and why. You can make up the specifics; You will face(if you don' t already) situations on the what s important is that you include several differ- job, at home, and at school that require critical think ent reasons that show you've thought about your ing and reasoning skills. By improving these skills,you decision carefully and critically. can improve your success in everything you do Specifically, strong critical thinking and reasoning Kind of car: skills will help you: Compose and support strong, logical argument Approximate price: a Assess the validity of other people's arguments Make more effective and logical decisions a Solve problems more efficiently Reasons for this choice: Essentially, these four skills make up problem solving skills. For example, if someone wants to your nin and convince you of something, you have a"problem"-you have to decide whether or not to change your beliefs, whether to accept that per- son's argument. Similarly, when you have a choice to make, or a position you'd like to support, you have a different type of "problem"to solve-what choice to make, how to support your position. Thus, this book Answers will vary. Here's a sample answer will use the term problem solving to refer to any one of these situ Problem solving will be the focus of car 1994 Toyota Camry the next lesson Approximate price: $6,000 Reasons for this choice: inspected; new Only 3, 500 miles on the Good gas mileage--30 miles per gallon Good safety features Big trunk, which I need to deliver equipment Decent stereo and air conditioning included
Practice 2. Imagine that you really do have to buy a car. Using your critical thinking and reasoning skills, write down what kind of car (model, new or used, etc.) you’d buy and why. You can make up the specifics; what’s important is that you include several different reasons that show you’ve thought about your decision carefully and critically. Kind of car: Approximate price: Reasons for this choice: Answers Answers will vary. Here’s a sample answer. Kind of car: 1994 Toyota Camry Approximate price: $6,000 Reasons for this choice: ■ Excellent condition for a used car—recently inspected; new tires ■ Only 3,500 miles on the car ■ Good gas mileage—30 miles per gallon ■ Affordable—just within my budget ■ Good safety features ■ Big trunk, which I need to deliver equipment and supplies ■ Decent stereo and air conditioning included ■ Red—my favorite color Why Critical Thinking and Reasoning Skills Are Important You will face (if you don’t already) situations on the job, at home, and at school that require critical thinking and reasoning skills. By improving these skills, you can improve your success in everything you do. Specifically, strong critical thinking and reasoning skills will help you: ■ Compose and support strong, logical arguments ■ Assess the validity of other people’s arguments ■ Make more effective and logical decisions ■ Solve problems more efficiently Essentially, these four skills make up problemsolving skills. For example, if someone wants to change your mind and convince you of something, you have a “problem”—you have to decide whether or not to change your beliefs, whether to accept that person’s argument. Similarly, when you have a choice to make, or a position you’d like to support, you have a different type of “problem” to solve—what choice to make, how to support your position. Thus, this book will use the term problem solving to refer to any one of these situations. Problem solving will be the focus of the next lesson. –CRITICAL THINKING AND REASONING SKILLS– 18