The Principles of Critical Thinking by Ras Berhane Kassa : bio

CRITICAL THINKING IS THE ABILITY TO JUDGE ANY INFORMATION AND PLACE IT IN A WORKABLE MODEL OF REALITY.

In short, to decide what is true and what is false as far as this is possible.

The first principle is to make no assumptions without reliable evidence. If you think you know something or stereotype someone without PAYING ATTENTION you cannot analyze clearly.

We can of course allow for basic assumptions such as "I AM" and "The World is" etc. So it is wise to withhold judgement until you get convincing evidence.

Some other principles of Critical Thinking are:

Logic: An inherent quality of mind to affirm or deny. The inevitable inference or conclusion of certain information. Remember, though, an individual's thinking and logical decisions are based on their basic assumptions and values.

Definition of terms: Check the real meaning of opposing concepts to see if there is a difference between them.

Pragmatism: Check the value to actual living of any theory. Does believing it make you and the world better?

Occam's Razor: Avoid the multiplication of unnecessary factors to explain something, when a simpler explanation will work.

Relative Emotional Detachment: Avoid being influenced by personal bias or possible gain. Avoid being influenced by emotionalism and rhetoric. It is largely our choice how we allow emotions to affect us.

Analysis of Evidence: Seek both quality and quantity. Check if the source of the evidence is reliable and unbiased. Get as many sources as possible. Types of evidence are:

  1. Intuition - common sense or hunches.
  2. Experienced Authorities - Testimony of ancient writings or of old people.
  3. Personal Experience - seeing and hearing for yourself.
  4. Eye witness testimony
  5. Analogy - seeing patterns in different situations
  6. Scientific Research. This brings us to the Scientific Method:
    • Hypothesis: Proposed theory
    • Induction: Discovery by experiment and observation. from the Particular to the General
    • Deduction: Defining something particular based on a general premise. Judgement based on a rational pattern.
    • Trial and Error: Accurate recording of experiment results for a substantial number of times.
    • Formulation of the theory as a predictor of certain results.
    • The consensus of the scientific community. The Scientific method is not absolute but is weighty evidence.
    • Reality is mysterious and not completely definable. Remember the map is not the territory.

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