Critical Thinking Cheat Sheet: Introduction
What is Critical Thinking?
- A disciplined approach to evaluating information and making reasoned judgments
- The ability to analyze, evaluate, and construct arguments
- A skill that combines rational analysis with awareness of cognitive biases
- NOT cynicism, skepticism about everything, or dismissing others’ views
Why Critical Thinking Matters
- Personal decisions: Makes you less vulnerable to manipulation and poor choices
- Professional success: Consistently ranked among top skills employers seek
- Civic participation: Essential for evaluating political claims and media
- Mental wellbeing: Helps challenge negative thought patterns
Core Critical Thinking Skills
- Recognizing assumptions
- Evaluating evidence
- Spotting logical fallacies
- Asking powerful questions
- Understanding cognitive biases
- Analyzing arguments
- Navigating digital information
- Managing emotional influences
Critical Thinking Mindset
- Intellectual curiosity: Genuine interest in understanding
- Intellectual humility: Acknowledging the limits of your knowledge
- Intellectual courage: Willingness to consider unpopular ideas
- Intellectual autonomy: Taking responsibility for your own beliefs
- Intellectual perseverance: Pursuing truth even when difficult
Getting Started with Critical Thinking
- Begin with awareness of your current thinking patterns
- Practice slowing down your thinking on important matters
- Seek out diverse perspectives that challenge your views
- Develop comfort with uncertainty and provisional conclusions
- Remember that critical thinking is a lifelong journey