Critical Thinking

1. Critical Thinking By Steven Dick With www.Criticalthinking.org

2. Why Critical Thinking? This is television criticism We need to evaluate television programs. We need to understand visual communication. We are storytellers. We need to evaluate the arguments of others. We need to learn to think critically in general.

3. Questions Many divide questions into two types including those that yeild: Facts Opinions We forget about the �Well Reasoned Response�

4. Well Reasoned Response Often simply considered an opinion. Everyone�s opinion is equal. Therefor no right answer. Therefor no answer that is better or worse.

5. Universal Intellectual Standards Standards which must be applied when interested in checking the quality of reasoning. These questions should become infused in thinking.

6. Universal Intellectual Standards Clarity Accuracy Precision Relevance Depth Breadth Logic If a statement is unclear we cannot assess its accuracy or relevance. Can you elaborate further? Can you express it another way?

7. Universal Intellectual Standards Clarity Accuracy Precision Relevance Depth Breadth Logic What is wrong with this program? Too General Are there artistic elements that fail to communicate the producer�s ideas?

8. Universal Intellectual Standards Clarity Accuracy Precision Relevance Depth Breadth Logic A statement may be true but not accurate. Is the statement really true? How could we check it?

9. Universal Intellectual Standards Clarity Accuracy Precision Relevance Depth Breadth Logic WSIL has no African American reporters. A clear statement BUT not accurate.

10. Universal Intellectual Standards Clarity Accuracy Precision Relevance Depth Breadth Logic You need to make your points specific enough to be useful. Can you give more detail? Can you be more specific?

11. Universal Intellectual Standards Clarity Accuracy Precision Relevance Depth Breadth Logic The program was too long. The program spent too long dealing with the female lead without development.

12. Universal Intellectual Standards Clarity Accuracy Precision Relevance Depth Breadth Logic You may not be talking about an important or even connected issues. How does that bear on this issue?

13. Universal Intellectual Standards Clarity Accuracy Precision Relevance Depth Breadth Logic There were too many commercials in the program. A specific point that can be checked but an issue outside the producer�s control.

14. Universal Intellectual Standards Clarity Accuracy Precision Relevance Depth Breadth Logic A superficial statement lacks the ability to deal with the most important issues or complexity. Is that dealing with the most significant factors?

15. Universal Intellectual Standards Clarity Accuracy Precision Relevance Depth Breadth Logic Just say no! A simplistic response to a complex issue. Understand there is a big difference between the needs of advertisement or sound bite and an argument.

16. Universal Intellectual Standards Clarity Accuracy Precision Relevance Depth Breadth Logic An argument may only consider one point of view. Is there another way to look at the question? What would you say if I were �.?

17. Universal Intellectual Standards Clarity Accuracy Precision Relevance Depth Breadth Logic Civic Journalism. Instead of just considering two sides of an issue, what about the ambivalent. Considers nontraditional sources of information.

18. Universal Intellectual Standards Clarity Accuracy Precision Relevance Depth Breadth Logic When the combination of thoughts are mutually supporting and make sense together. The thinking is logical. How does that follow from what you just said or about to say?

19. Universal Intellectual Standards Clarity Accuracy Precision Relevance Depth Breadth Logic A local ISP advertises: You will get though because we are small. We are the most popular in the area.

20. Valuable Intellectual Traits Humility Courage Empathy Integrity Perseverance Faith in reason Fairness Understanding the limits of one�s knowledge. Sensitivity to bias Limitations of one�s viewpoints Does not imply spineless. Just not pretentious.

21. Valuable Intellectual Traits Humility Courage Empathy Integrity Perseverance Faith in reason Fairness Willingness to face and fairly address ideals and beliefs which we do not like and have not been given a fair hearing. Not passively accept what we have learned.

22. Valuable Intellectual Traits Humility Courage Empathy Integrity Perseverance Faith in reason Fairness The ability to put yourself in the place of another. Understand their long held truths, bias, and beliefs AND why they hold them.

23. Valuable Intellectual Traits Humility Courage Empathy Integrity Perseverance Faith in reason Fairness The ability to be consistent in the intellectual standards To hold to the same rigorous standards demanded of others. Honestly admit problems in ones own thinking.

24. Valuable Intellectual Traits Humility Courage Empathy Integrity Perseverance Faith in reason Fairness The ability to work through a problem despite the difficulties Despite the irrational opposition of others.

25. Valuable Intellectual Traits Humility Courage Empathy Integrity Perseverance Faith in reason Fairness Confidence that, in the long run, the interest of both you and humanity are best served by the free play of reason.

26. Valuable Intellectual Traits Humility Courage Empathy Integrity Perseverance Faith in reason Fairness The need to treat all viewpoints alike Getting past your own opinion to consider others.