Found in this section:
1. Brief Table of Contents
2. Full Table of Contents
1. BRIEF TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 1 The Power of Critical Thinking
Chapter 2 Skilled and Eager to Think
Chapter 3 Solve Problems and Succeed in College
Chapter 4 Clarify Ideas and Concepts
Chapter 5 Analyze Arguments and Diagram Decisions
Chapter 6 Evaluate the Credibility of Claims and Sources
Chapter 7 Evaluate Arguments: The Four Basic Tests
Chapter 8 Evaluate Deductive Reasoning and Spot Deductive Fallacies
Chapter 9 Evaluate Inductive Reasoning and Spot Inductive Fallacies
Chapter 10 Think Heuristically: Risks and Benefits of Snap Judgments
Chapter 11 Think Reflectively: Strategies for Decision Making
Chapter 12 Comparative Reasoning: Think This Is Like That
Chapter 13 Ideological Reasoning: Think Top Down
Chapter 14 Empirical Reasoning: Think Bottom Up
Chapter 15 Write Sound and Effective Arguments
Appendix Extend Argument-Decision Mapping Strategies
Glossary
Endnotes
Credits
Index
Supplemental Chapter A Think Like a Social Scientist
Supplemental Chapter B Think Like a Natural Scientist
Supplemental Chapter C Ethical Decision Making
Supplemental Chapter D The Logic of Declarative Statements
2. FULL TABLE OF CONTENTS
Acknowledgments
Preface
How the Book Is Organized
About the Authors
Chapter 1: The Power of Critical Thinking
Risk and Uncertainty Abound
Critical Thinking and a Free Society
The One and the Many
What Do We Mean by Critical Thinking?
Expert Consensus Conceptualization
Critical Thinking Does Not Mean Negative Thinking
How to Get the Most Out of This Book
Evaluating Critical Thinking
The Students' Assignment-Kennedy Act
The Students' Statements-Kennedy Act
The Holistic Critical Thinking Scoring Rubric
The Students' Assignment-Haiti
The Students' Statements-Haiti
Chapter Review
Chapter 2: Skilled and Eager to Think
Positive Critical Thinking Habits of Mind
The Spirit of Strong Critical Thinker
Positive and Negative Habits of Mind
Preliminary Self-Assessment
Research on Critical Thinking Habits of Mind
Seven Positive Critical Thinking Habits of Mind
Negative Habits of Mind
Is a Good Critical Thinker Automatically a Good Person?
Building Positive Habits of Mind
Core Critical Thinking Skills
Interpreting and Analyzing the Consensus Statement
The Jury Is Deliberating
Critical Thinking Skills Fire in Many Combinations
Strengthening Our Core Critical Thinking Skills
The Art of the Good Question
Skills and Subskills Defined
A First Look at Inductive and Deductive Reasoning
Nurses' Health Study-Decades of Data
Inductive Reasoning
Cosmos vs. Chaos
Deductive Reasoning
How to Get The Most Out of This Book
Chapter Review
Chapter 3: Solve Problems and Succeed in College
Ideas: A 5-Step Critical Thinking Problem-Solving Process
Educating the Whole Person
Social Relationships
STEP 1: IDENTIFY the Problem and Set Priorities
Vocation
STEP 1: IDENTIFY the Problem and Set Priorities
STEP 2: DEEPEN Understanding and Gather Relevant Information
Academics
The First Two IDEAS Steps in Maria's Case
STEP 3: ENUMERATE Options and Anticipate Consequences
Health and Physical Well-being
The First Three Steps in Leah's Case
STEP 4: ASSESS the Situation and Make a Preliminary Decision
Emotional Well-being
STEP 5: SCRUTINIZE Processes and Self-Correct As Needed
Spiritual Development
Chapter Review
Chapter 4: Clarify Ideas and Concepts
Interpretation, Context, and Purpose
How Precise Is Precise Enough?
Language and Thought
Vagueness: Where Are the Boundaries, Does the Term Include This Case or Not?
Problematic Vagueness
Ambiguity: Which Sense of the Term Are We Using, Does It Mean This, or Does It Mean That?
Problematic Ambiguity
Resolving Problematic Vagueness and Problematic Ambiguity
Contextualizing
Clarifying Original Intent
Negotiating the Meaning
Using Qualifications, Exceptions, or Exclusions
Stipulating the Meaning
Your Language Communities
National and Global Language Communities
Language Communities Formed of People with Like Interests
Academic Disciplines as Language Communities
Critical Thinking and College Introductory Courses
Chapter Review
Chapter 5: Analyze Arguments and Diagram Decisions
Analyzing and Mapping Arguments
Argument = (Reason + Claim)
Two Reasons, Two Arguments
Two Confusions to Avoid
Reason and Premise
Distinguishing Reasons from Conclusion
Mapping Claims and Reasons
Mapping a Line of Reasoning
Mapping Implicit Ideas
Interpreting Unspoken Reasons and Claims in Context
Interpreting the Use of Irony, Humor, Sarcasm, and More
Giving Reasons and Making Arguments in Real Life
The El Train Argument
Huckabee and Stewart Discuss The Pro-Life Issue-Abortion
Analyzing and Mapping Decisions
We Should Cancel the Spring Trip #1
We Should Cancel the Spring Trip #2
Chapter Review
Chapter 6: Evaluate the Credibility of Claims and Sources
Assessing the Source-Whom Should I Trust?
Claims without Reasons
Cognitive Development and Healthy Skepticism
Authority and Expertise
Learned and Experienced
On-Topic, Up-to-Date, and Capable of Explaining
Unbiased and Truthful
Free of Conflicts of Interest, and Acting in the Client's Interest
Unconstrained, Informed, and Mentally Stable
Twelve Characteristics of a Trustworthy Source
Assessing the Substance-What Should I Believe?
Donkey Dung Detector
Self-Contradictions and Tautologies
Marketing, Spin, Disinformation, and Propaganda
Slanted Language and Loaded Expressions
Independent Verification
Can the Claim Be Confirmed?
Can the Claim Be Disconfirmed?
Independent Investigation and the Q-Ray Bracelet Case
Suspending Judgment
Chapter Review
Chapter 7: Evaluate Arguments: The Four Basic Tests
Giving Reasons and Making Arguments
Truthfulness
Logical Strength
Relevance
Non-Circularity
The Four Tests for Evaluating Arguments
Test #1: Truthfulness of the Premises
Test #2: Logical Strength
Test #3: Relevance
Test #4: Non-Circularity
Contexts for Argument Making and Evaluative Terms
Common Reasoning Errors
Fallacies of Relevance
Appeals to Ignorance
Appeals to the Mob
Appeals to Emotion
Ad Hominem Attacks
Straw Man Fallacy
Playing with Words Fallacy
Misuse of Authority Fallacy
Chapter Review
Chapter 8: Evaluate Deductive Reasoning and Spot Deductive Fallacies
Deductive Validity and Language
Reasoning Deductively about Declarative Statements
Denying the Consequent
Affirming the Antecedent
Disjunctive Syllogism
Reasoning Deductively about Classes of Objects
Applying a Generalization
Applying an Exception
The Power of Only
Reasoning Deductively about Relationships
Transitivity, Reflexivity, and Identity
Fallacies Masquerading as Valid Deductive Arguments
Fallacies When Reasoning with Declarative Statements
Affirming the Consequent
Denying the Antecedent
Fallacies When Reasoning about Classes of Objects
False Classification
Fallacies of Composition and Division
Mistaken Identity
False Reference
Chapter Review
Chapter 9: Evaluate Inductive Reasoning and Spot Inductive Fallacies
Inductions and the Evidence at Hand
Evaluating Generalizations
Was the Correct Group Sampled?
Were the Data Obtained in an Effective Way?
Were Enough Cases Considered?
Was the Sample Representatively Structured?
Coincidences, Correlations, and Causes
Coincidences
Correlations
Causes
Fallacies Masquerading as Strong Inductive Arguments
Erroneous Generalization
Playing with Numbers
False Dilemma
The Gambler's Fallacy
False Cause
Slippery Slope
Chapter Review
Chapter 10: Think Heuristically: Risks and Benefits of Snap Judgments
Human Decision-Making Systems
The Two-Systems Approach to Human Decision Making
Reactive (System-1) Thinking
Reflective (System-2) Thinking
The Value of Each System
Heuristics: Their Benefits and Risks
Individual Cognitive Heuristics
1. Satisficing and 2. Temporizing
3. Affect: Go with your Gut
4. Simulation
5. Availability
6. Representation
7. Association
8. Stereotyping
9. Us vs. Them
10. Power Differential
11. Anchoring with Adjustment
12. Illusion of Control
13. Optimistic Bias and 14. Hindsight Bias
15. Elimination by Aspect: One Strike and You're Out
16. Loss and Risk Aversion
17. All or Nothing
Heuristics in Action
Chapter Review
Chapter 11: Think Reflectively: Strategies for Decision Making
Dominance Structuring: A Fortress of Conviction
I Would Definitely Go to the Doctor
Explaining and Defending Ourselves
A Poorly Crafted Assignment
Moving from Decision to Action
Phase 1: Pre-editing
Phase 2: Identifying One Promising Option
Phase 3: Testing the Promising Option
Phase 4: Fortifying the To-Be-Chosen Option
Benefits and Risks of Dominance Structuring
The Classic O. J. Defense Example
Self-Regulation Critical Thinking Skill Strategies
Critical Thinking Precautions When Pre-Editing
Be Sure about the Problem
Specify the Decision-Critical Attributes
Be Clear about Why an Option Is In or Out
Critical Thinking Precautions When Identifying the Promising Option
Scrutinize Options with Disciplined Impartiality
Listen to Both Sides First
Critical Thinking Precautions When Testing the Promising Option
Use All the Essential Criteria
Treat Equals as Equals
Diligently Engage in Truth-Seeking and Remain Impartial
Critical Thinking Precautions When Fortifying the To-Be-Chosen Option
Be Honest with Yourself
Critical Thinking Strategies for Better Decision Making
Task Independent Teams with the Same Problem
Decide When It's Time to Decide
Analyze Indicators and Make Mid-Course Corrections
Create a Culture of Respect for Critical Thinking
Chapter Review
Chapter 12: Comparative Reasoning: Think This is Like That
Comparative, Ideological, and Empirical Inferences
This is Like That-Recognizing Comparative Reasoning
Gardens of Comparatives
Powerful Comparisons Connect Intellect and Emotion
Evaluating Comparative Inferences
Do the Four Tests of Acceptability Apply?
Five Criteria for Evaluating Comparative Reasoning
Familiarity
Simplicity
Comprehensiveness
Productivity
Testability
Shaping Our View of the Universe for Two Thousand Years
The Many Uses of Comparative Inferences
Chapter Review
Chapter 13: Ideological Reasoning: Think Top Down
Top Down Thinking: Recognizing Ideological Reasoning
Examples of Ideological Reasoning
Three Features of Ideological Reasoning
Ideological Reasoning Is Deductive in Character
Ideological Premises Are Axiomatic
The Argument Maker Takes the Ideological Absolutes on Faith
Evaluating Ideological Reasoning
Are the Ideological Premises True?
Logical Strength and Ideological Belief Systems
Relevancy, Non-Circularity, and Ideological Reasoning
Uses, Benefits, and Risks of Ideological Reasoning
Chapter Review
Chapter 14: Empirical Reasoning: Think Bottom Up
Recognizing Empirical Reasoning
Characteristics of Empirical Reasoning
Empirical Reasoning Is Inductive
Empirical Reasoning Is Self-Corrective
Empirical Reasoning Is Open to Independent Verification
Hypotheses, Conditions, and Measureable Manifestations
Conducting an Investigation Scientifically
Perhaps the First Recorded Empirical Investigations
Steps in the Process of an Extended Example
Evaluating Empirical Reasoning
Benefits and Risks Associated with Empirical Reasoning
Chapter Review
Chapter 15: Write Sound and Effective Arguments
What Critical Thinking Questions Do Effective Writers Ask?
Think Author
Find Your Voice
Think about Who You Read
Think Audience
What Does the Audience Care About?
Writing For You
Who Is Your Audience?
Same Author and Audience, Different Purpose
Think Purpose and Circumstances
Think Tactics
Clues from Contextual Cues
Think How to Organize and Develop Your Presentation
Reach Out and Grab Someone
Crafting a Presentation
Good News: Writing Is Work
An Arguable Thesis Statement and Solid Research
Map Out the Arguments Pro and Con-Then Outline Your Case
Evaluating the Credibility of Sources
Prewriting, Writing, and Rewriting
Two Practical Tips
Evaluating Effectiveness
Features of Sound and Effective Written Argumentation
A Tool for Evaluating Critical Thinking and Writing
How to Apply the Rubric for Evaluating Written Argumentation
Chapter Review
Appendix Extend Argument-Decision Mapping Strategies
Mapping the Sequence of Arguments
Mapping Forms of Inference
Mapping Supporting Information
Mapping the Decision System
Less Is More
Schwarzenegger's Denial of Clemency
Map Group Decision Making
Research Applications
Glossary
Endnotes
Credits
Index
Supplemental Chapter A: Think Like a Social Scientist
What Critical Thinking Questions Do Social Scientists Ask?
Thinking Like a Social Scientist
The Spirit of Scientific Inquiry Can Manifest Itself Early in Life
Think Participants
Think Situation
Think Actions
Think Motivation
Social Science Investigative Methods
Let the Question Drive the Investigatory Technique
Data Gathering Techniques
Practical and Logistical Challenges
Motivations and Temptations
The I'm on Camera Effect
Thinking About the Standards
No Simple Explanations of Complex Phenomena
Proceeding with Warranted Confidence
Statistical Analyses
Narrative Analyses
The Risks Inherent in All Human Judgments
Critical Thinking Self-Regulation
We Are What We Study
We Affect What We Study
Finding What Isn't There and Not Finding What Is There
Integrating Findings
Thinking about Social Science in the Real World (Applications)
Example One: Business Administration
Example Two: Elementary Education
Chapter Review
Supplemental Chapter B: Think Like a Natural Scientist
What Critical Thinking Questions Do Natural Scientists Ask?
Thinking Like a Natural Scientist
Think Curious and Intriguing Natural Phenomenon
Think Empirically Testable Causal Explanation
Think How to Prevent and How to Bring About the Phenomenon
Think How to Integrate New Knowledge with Broader Scientific Understandings
Methods of Scientific Investigation
Let the Empirical Question Drive the Inquiry
Thinking About the Standards
Confidence in Scientific Findings
True to a Scientific Certainty
Finding What Isn't There and Not Finding What Is There
Confidence in Scientific Theories
Thinking about Real-World Applications of Natural Science
Chapter Review
Supplemental Chapter C: Ethical Decision Making
Ethical Imperatives
Think Consequences
Think Duties
Think Virtues
Decision Making and Ethical Decision Making
Some Factors Affect Many Decisions
Reactive and Reflective Ethical Decision Making
Thinking Through Diverging Ethical Imperatives
Prioritize, Create, and Negotiate
Establish Priorities
Create Additional Options
Negotiate Based On Each Party's Interests
Personal Consistency and Respect for Others
Apply the Golden Rule-Do Unto Others as You Would Have Others Do Unto You
Chapter Review
Supplemental Chapter D: The Logic of Declarative Statements
Part 1: Statements
Simple Statements
Negations
Statement Compounds: And, Or, If, then, etc.
Conjunctions
Disjunctions
Conditionals
Part 2: Translating Between Symbolic Logic and a Natural Language
Grammatically Correct Expressions
Translatiing to English
Translating to Symbolic Logic
Example: Translating a Telephone Tree
What the Telephone Tree Example Teaching About Translation
Part 3: Detecting the Logical Characteristics of Statements
Building Truth-Tables
Tautologies, Inconsistent Statements, and Contingent Statements
Testing for Implication and Equivalence
Part 4: Evaluating Arguments for Validity
Testing Symbolic Arguments for Validity
Testing Natural Language Arguments for Validity
Chapter Review
