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Welcome to Critical Thinking 101

Introduction

Hello there, and welcome to Critical Thinking 101! I’m thrilled you’ve decided to join us on this journey to sharpen one of the most valuable skills you’ll ever develop. Whether you’re here because you’re tired of being bamboozled by dubious headlines, exhausted from circular arguments at family dinners, or simply want to make better decisions in your daily life—you’re in the right place.

Let’s be honest: we’re living in what some might call a “post-truth” world, where opinions masquerade as facts and your social media feed is essentially a personalised echo chamber. Not exactly ideal conditions for clear thinking, is it? But fear not! By the end of this course, you’ll be equipped with a mental toolkit that helps you navigate this chaotic information landscape with confidence.

Why Critical Thinking Matters

You might be wondering, “Why should I care about critical thinking?” Fair question. Let me paint you a picture:

Imagine scrolling through your news feed and encountering a headline that makes your blood boil. Before taking this course, you might immediately share it with an angry comment. After this course? You’ll pause, examine the source, consider alternative perspectives, and make an informed decision about how to respond—or whether to respond at all.

Or perhaps you’re facing a significant life decision—changing careers, moving to a new city, or investing your hard-earned money. Critical thinking skills will help you evaluate your options methodically, weigh the evidence, and make choices you won’t regret later.

The truth is, critical thinking isn’t just an academic exercise—it’s a practical superpower that impacts every aspect of your life:

  • Personal decisions: From relationships to finances, critical thinking helps you make choices based on evidence rather than emotion or impulse.
  • Professional success: Employers consistently rank critical thinking among the most desirable skills in potential employees.
  • Civic participation: In a democracy, thoughtful citizens who can evaluate political claims are essential.
  • Mental wellbeing: The ability to question negative thought patterns is fundamental to psychological resilience.

What You’ll Learn

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

  1. Identify logical fallacies in arguments (including your own)
  2. Evaluate the credibility of information sources
  3. Separate facts from opinions in news and social media
  4. Recognize your own biases and how they affect your thinking
  5. Ask powerful questions that cut to the heart of an issue
  6. Consider multiple perspectives on complex topics
  7. Manage emotional reactions during difficult conversations
  8. Apply critical thinking frameworks to real-world problems

The best part? You don’t need any special background or prior knowledge. We’re starting from scratch and building your critical thinking muscles step by step.

How This Course Works

This course consists of 10 lessons, each designed to take about 20 minutes of your time. The first eight lessons focus on specific subskills of critical thinking, while the final two bring everything together into a comprehensive approach.

Each lesson includes: - Clear explanations of key concepts - Real-world examples that show these concepts in action - Interactive exercises to practice what you’ve learned - Checklists and cheat sheets to reference later - A touch of irreverence to keep things interesting (because let’s face it, even important topics can be approached with a bit of humour)

A Personal Note

Before we dive in, I’d like to share something important: critical thinking isn’t about becoming cynical or dismissing everything you hear. It’s about developing a healthy skepticism—a willingness to question and verify before accepting claims as true.

It’s also not about “winning” arguments or proving others wrong. The best critical thinkers are often the best listeners, genuinely curious about different perspectives and willing to change their minds when the evidence warrants it.

In fact, one mark of a good critical thinker is the ability to say those three difficult words: “I was wrong.” If you finish this course and find yourself saying that more often, consider it a sign of progress!

Ready to Begin?

Throughout history, the ability to think critically has been the dividing line between those who shape the world and those who are shaped by it. By investing in these skills, you’re taking control of your own thinking—and by extension, your life.

So, are you ready to see the world more clearly? Let’s get started with our first lesson on recognising assumptions—the invisible foundations of our thinking that often go unexamined.

[Suggested graphic: An illustration of a brain with various “thinking traps” labeled around it, with a path through these traps representing the journey of critical thinking. The illustration should have a slightly humorous style to match the tone of the course.]

Next Up: Lesson 1 - Recognising Assumptions: The Invisible Foundations of Thinking