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Author Topic:   What Does Critical Thinking Mean To You?
PaulK
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Posts: 17825
Joined: 01-10-2003
Member Rating: 2.2


(1)
Message 26 of 339 (721874)
03-13-2014 3:09 AM
Reply to: Message 5 by Faith
03-12-2014 11:10 AM


quote:
Critical thinking is what leads to faith in the right things.
That really isn't a definition (or if its intended as one it's hopelessly wrong. You can't define a method by its outcome - a method is a way of attempting to achieve a desired outcome)
Critical thinking is careful evaluation of claims and the evidence available. And to do it properly you have to apply it to everything. The real test of a critical thinker is applying it to overcome your own biases. In fact Phat, good critical thinking is the best defence against self-worship there is.
Being hypercritical of opponent's views, while being credulous of anything you like is the opposite of good critical thinking. And is exactly the sort of thinking typical of self-worshippers.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 5 by Faith, posted 03-12-2014 11:10 AM Faith has not replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 27 by RAZD, posted 03-13-2014 8:01 AM PaulK has replied

  
PaulK
Member
Posts: 17825
Joined: 01-10-2003
Member Rating: 2.2


Message 29 of 339 (721890)
03-13-2014 8:56 AM
Reply to: Message 27 by RAZD
03-13-2014 8:01 AM


quote:
Why should it be a definition? One could as easily say (paraphrase):
Critical thinking is what leads to acceptance of valid things.
And I have no trouble with that statement: that is the goal is it not?
I don't think that the goal is to make short, superficial and uncontroversial statements. If it isn't intended as a definition, all it tells us is why Faith is so often wrong.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 27 by RAZD, posted 03-13-2014 8:01 AM RAZD has replied

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 Message 31 by RAZD, posted 03-13-2014 9:28 AM PaulK has replied

  
PaulK
Member
Posts: 17825
Joined: 01-10-2003
Member Rating: 2.2


Message 32 of 339 (721898)
03-13-2014 9:46 AM
Reply to: Message 31 by RAZD
03-13-2014 9:28 AM


quote:
Are you sure that this is not your biases talking rather than just taking it as an "uncontroversial statement" ?
Yes. I'll grant that I'm using background knowledge, but that's hardly an objection.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 31 by RAZD, posted 03-13-2014 9:28 AM RAZD has seen this message but not replied

  
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