Strengthening Critical Thinking Skills

1. Strengthening Critical Thinking Skills by Elizabeth A. Johnson College Board Consultant

2. How do these three ideas fit together? Everyone has a right to an opinion. Some opinions are better than others. Some opinions are wrong.

3. What is a fact? • A fact is a statement that can be verified by an independent observer. • A fact cannot be shown to be false.

4. Inference and assertion • An inference is a statement about the unknown that is based on known facts. • An assertion is a statement about the unknown. Supported by evidence, it is less certain than a fact.

5. Fact, inference, assertion Degree of Uncertainty Assertion Inference Fact

6. Comparing degrees of certainty • The certainty of a fact may be cast in doubt if new information appears. • Inference? • Assertions give meaning to facts. • Does the table represent a true fact?

7. Dichotomies • A dichotomy is a statement offering two mutually exclusive alternatives. • It takes the form A v ~A, where v means or • Is gender a true dichotomy?

8. Literal vs. Figurative Truth • A fact is literally true: 1 + 1 = 2 • Proverbs are examples of figurative truth: • “Slow and steady wins the race.” • “He who hesitates is lost.” • “Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely.” • An assertion is half as true as a fact.

9. Varieties of Truth • Scientific, empirical truth • Social sciences (Psychology, Sociology, Economics) • Historical truth: Power corrupts. • Literary truth: A theme of a novel • “Be true! Be true!” – The Scarlet Letter • Religious/Philosophical truth: “An eye for an eye only makes the whole world blind.” -- Gandhi

10. Qualities of Truth

11. What day is today? Where were you born? What is the capital of France? Can Mars sustain life? Are electrons particles or waves, or both? Should the Celtics hire a new coach? Is democracy the best form of government? Why do good people suffer? Who am I? Why are we here? Answerable vs. ‘Unanswerable’ Questions

12. Personal opinions are neither true nor false unique to each individual All equally valid Personal opinions reflect one’s taste. A reasoned opinion may be supported by facts, reasons, and other evidence. Are all equally valid? Two Types of Opinions

13. “The Beatles are the best rock group ever!” Face jewelry is stylish. JFK was a great president. “I know what I like, and I don’t like Picasso.” The earth was formed 4 billion years ago. Humans are the only tool-making animal. The Civil War was caused by Northern industrial expansion. Shakespeare is the greatest writer who ever lived. Personal vs. Reasoned Opinions

14. Aesthetics Classical philosophy considers three main questions: • What is Truth? Epistemology • What is Justice? Politics • What is Beauty? Aesthetics Aesthetics asserts the existence of objective knowledge regarding the nature of beauty. Modern aesthetics tends to blend truth and beauty

15. A: “The Celtics should hire a new coach.” Segregated schools preserve the natural order of society. A: “Sonic Youth music sounds like a rusty washing machine.” B: “The Celtics should hire a new coach.” Gilligan’s research supports the value of single-sex education. B: “Sonic Youth is an original, seminal band.” Uneducated vs. Educated Opinion

16. Educated opinions • Rebecca Nurse was a witch. • Disease is caused by mal-aria (‘bad air’) or demons. • Humans and chimps are nearly identical, owing to similar genetics. • The education of women is the key to solving most social and economic problems of the poor.

17. How do these three ideas fit together? Everyone has a right to an opinion. Some opinions are better than others. Some opinions are wrong.