Set A Volume 1 - Chapter Three: Critical Thinking

Self-Reflection Opportunity: Critical thinkers ask why and they are inquisitive. What does it mean to be a critical thinker? Why should the Air Force be concerned with developing critical thinker? As a supervisor and a leader how will you use critical thinking in your daily duties?

(WARNING: Probable BS Answer)

Self-Reflection Opportunity #1: Think of the times you had to use critical thinking in your job. Why do you think it is important to have critical thinkers in your organization?

(WARNING: Probable BS Answer) Critical thinking leaves no room for egotism in thought. Only so much egotism is tolerated in an organization.

Self-Reflection Opportunity #2: How many times have you heard the saying, "This is how we've always done it?" How can having a critical thinking mindset increase your ability and affect the unit and mission effectiveness?

(WARNING: Probable BS Answer) Nothing is perfect or the best option. Stagnation of growth and the unwillingness to change can heavily impact everyone in the worst ways. There is no room for improvement. In choosing to do the opposite, one can strive for betterment and success.

Edward M. Kennedy Exercise: Student #1 "My take on it is that this bill requires national service. It's like...a churchy-service-sorta-thing. But, you know, like run by the government and all. We all have to sign up and do our bit before we can go to college. That's a great idea. Think about it, how could anyone be against this legislation? I mean, unless they are either lazy or selfish. What excuse could a person possibly have not to serve our country? The president is right, we need to bring back the draft so that our Army has enough soldiers, and we need to fix health care and Social Security. I don't want to pay into a system all my working life only to find out that there's no money left when it's my time to retire."

1 (weak)

Edward M. Kennedy Exercise: Student #2 "Well I think this bill is a stupid idea. Who's going to agree to work for a lousy $12,000 a year? That's nuts. I can earn more working at Target or by enlisting in the Navy. This legislation is just more foolish liberal nonsense that takes our nation one step closer to socialism. Socialism is when the government tries to control too many things. And now the president is trying to control volunteer service. Maybe you want to build houses for poor people or clean up after hurricanes, but I don't see how any of that is going to help me pass physics or get me a better job after college."

2 (unacceptable)

Edward M. Kennedy Exercise: Student #3 "I think there are problems with the legislation, too. But you're wrong about people not wanting to volunteer. The number of hits on the AmeriCorps Web site keeps going up and up each month. Retired people, students, and people who just want to make a difference go there and to Serve.gov to see what opportunities might exist near where they live. On the other hand, I do have issues with the government being the organizing force in this. Volunteerism was alive and well in America before Big Brother got involved. I don't see why we need to spend 5.7 billion dollars getting people to do what they were already going to do anyway. We shouldn't pay people to be volunteers."

3 (acceptable)

Edward M. Kennedy Exercise: Student #4 "That's the point, some of them wanted to do volunteer service but they need a small incentive. Nobody is going to get rich on the stipends the government is offering. I think that people who want to keep government at arm's length are going to have problems with this bill. They are right that it is another way that government is worming itself into every facet of our lives. But a lot of people feel that way about religion, too; that's why they do not want to volunteer in programs sponsored by religious groups, because they don't want to be seen as agreeing with all the beliefs of that group. The real question for me is the effect that this legislation might have on the future politics of our nation. All these volunteers could become, in effect, people the Administration can call on in the next election. Organizing tens of thousands Americans who basically agree with the idea of public service at public expense is like lining up the Democratic voters who will want to be sure these policies are not reversed by the Republicans. I'm not talking about a vague idea like "socialism," I'm talking about clever politics, positioning the Democratic Party for success in 2012. On balance, that's OK with me. But we need to understand that this legislation will result in more than just a lot of wonderful work by a large number of generous Americans who are willing to give of their time to help others."

4 (strong)

Use of Language: What doe the term, "ambiguity," mean?

A word or expression that can be understood in more than one way.

Question Focused on Intellectual Standards: What does the term, "accuracy," mean? What questions should you be asking yourself?

Accuracy means checking to see if something is accurate or true. Questions should sound like: How could you check on that? How could you find out if that is true? How could you verify or test that?

What is, "intellectual humility?"

Adhering to recently acquired opinions; examine new evidence and arguments even if it leads to flaws in cherished beliefs

Psychological and Social Pitfalls: What does the phrase, "emotional appeal, " mean?

An emotional appeal is making irrelevant emotional appeals to a claim (since emotion often influences people more effectively than logical reasoning).

Knowledge Check #3: __________, What am I taking for granted? What assumption has led me to that conclusion?

Assumptions

Knowledge Check #2: __________, can severely affect our ability to think clearly and critically.

Basic human limitations

Knowledge Check #2: __________, is being unaware that our memories are often "manufactured" to fill in the gaps in our recollection.

Basic human limitations

Knowledge Check #2: __________, is the process whereby one tends to notice and look for what confirms one's beliefs, and to ignore what contradicts one's beliefs.

Basic human limitations

What is, "credible information?"

Believable, from a trustworthy source

Question Focused on Intellectual Standards: What does the term, "breath," mean? What questions should you ask yourself?

Breadth is having an open and tolerant view of things, other viewpoints, etc. Do you need to look at this from another perspective? Do you need to consider another point of view? Do you need to look at this in other ways?

Use of Language: What does the term, "the use of language?"

Choice of words themselves can conceal the truth, mislead, confuse, or deceive.

Question Focused on Intellectual Standards: What does the term, "clarity," mean? What question should you be asking yourself?

Clarity is a gateway standard. If a statement is unclear, you cannot determine whether it is accurate or relevant. You should ask the following questions for clarity: Could you elaborate further? Could you give me an example? Could you illustrate what you mean?

Knowledge Check #3: __________, What is the main idea here? Can I explain this idea?

Concepts

HCTSR: 4 (strong)

Consistently does all or almost all of the following: o Accurately interprets evidence, statements, graphics, questions, etc o Identifies the salient arguments (reasons and claims) pro and con. o Thoughtfully analyzes and evaluates major alternatives points of view. o Draws warranted judicious, non-fallacious conlcusions. o Justifies key results and procedures, explains assumptions and reasons. o Fair-mindedly follows where evidence and reasons lead.

HCTSR: 1 (weak)

Consistently does all or almost all of the following: o Offers biased interpretations of evidence, statements, graphics, questions, information or the points of views of others o Fails to identify or hastily dismisses strong, relevant counter-argument o Ignores or superficially evaluates obvious alternative points of view o Argues using fallacious or irrelevant reasons, and unwarranted o Does not justify results or procedures, nor explain reasons o Regardless of the evidence or reasons. maintains or defends views based on self-interest or preconceptions o Exhibits close-mindedness or hostility to reason

What are some questions critical thinkers ask?

Critical thinkers as why and are inquisitive. There are eight elements of thought: purpose, questions, information, inferences/conclusions, concepts, assumptions, implications/consequences, and point of view.

Question Focused on Intellectual Standards: What does the term, "depth," mean? What questions should you ask yourself?

Depth encompasses finding out how your answer addresses the complexities in the question. What factors make this a difficult problem? What are some of the complexities of this question? What are some of the difficulties you need to deal with?

What does, "critical thinking," mean?

Disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication as a guide to belief and action.

HCTSR: 3 (acceptable)

Does most of many of the following: o Accurately interprets evidence, statements, graphics, questions, etc. o Identifies relevant arguments (reasons and claims) pro and con o Offers analyses and evaluations of obvious alternative points of view o Draws warranted non-fallacious conclusions o Fair-mindedly follows where evidence and reasons lead.

HCTSR: 2 (unacceptable)

Does most or many of the following: o Misinterprets evidence, statements, graphics, questions, etc. o Fails to identify strong, relevant counter-arguments o Ignores or superficially evaluates obvious alternative points of view o Draws unwarranted or fallacious conclusions o Justifies few results or procedures, seldom explains reasons o Regardless of the evidence or reasons, maintains or defends views based on self-interest or preconceptions

Psychological and Social Pitfalls: What does the phrase, "fallacy of false dilemma," mean?

Either/or Fallacy is intentionally restricting the number of alternatives, thereby omitting relevant alternatives from consideration.

What is, "unbiased information?"

Fair and impartial, rather than prejudice

Question Focused on Intellectual Standards: What does the term, "fairness," mean? What questions should you be asking yourself?

Fairness implies the treating of all relevant viewpoints alike without reference to one's own feeling or interest. Do I have a vested interest in this issue? Am I sympathetically representing the viewpoints of others?

Faulty Logic or Perception: What are, "false analogies?"

False analogies is making illogical analogies to support the validity of a particular claim.

Knowledge Check #2: __________, is arguing something is true because "it works," even though the cause of something and the outcome are not demonstrated.

Faulty logic or perception

Knowledge Check #2: __________, is making a comparison that is irrelevant or inappropriate.

Faulty logic or perception

Knowledge Check #2: __________, is making illogical analogies to support the validity of a particular claim.

Faulty logic or perception

What is, "accurate information?"

Free from error, a correct or truthful representation

Questions Using Elements of Thought: What are some questions to ask yourself with the topic, "point of view?"

From what point of view am I looking at this issue? Is there another point of view I should consider?

Knowledge Check #1: What does it men to have a, "high motivation," to become a critical thinker?

Having a natural curiosity to further your understanding; Putting in the work to evaluate the multiple sides of an issue; reaching a sufficient level of understanding.

Knowledge Check #1: What does it mean to be a, "free thinker?"

Having an independent mind and being able to restrain yourself from the desire to believe because of social pressures to conform.

Questions Using Elements of Thought: What are some questions to ask yourself with the topic, "inferences/conclusions?"

How did I reach this conclusion? Is there another way to interpret the information?

Questions Using Elements of Thought: What are some questions to ask yourself with the topic, "implications/consequences?"

If someone accepted my position, what would be the implications? What am I implying?

Edward M. Kennedy Exercise: Scenerio

Imagine a professor has assigned a group of four students to comment on the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act. Among other things, the bill, signed into law on April 21, 2009, designates September 11th as a national day of service. The group of four students has access to the information outlined below. Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act "The bill encourages voluntary service. The legislation provides for gradually increasing the size of the Clinton-era AmeriCorps to 250,000 enrollees from its current 75,000. It outlines five broad categories where people can direct their service: 1) helping the poor, 2)improving education, 3) encouraging energy efficiency, 4) strengthening access tohealth care, and 5) assisting veterans.vii "AmeriCorps offers a range of volunteer opportunities including 1) housing construction, 2)youth outreach, 3) disaster response and 4) caring for the elderly. Most receive anannual stipend of slightly less than $12,000 for working 10 months to up to one year" "The bill also ties volunteer work to money for college. People 55 and older can earn up to $1000 education awards by getting involved in public service. Those awards can be transferred to a child, grand-child, or even someone they mentored" "Students from sixth grade through senior year of high school could earn $500 education awards for helping in their neighborhoods during a new summer program."

Knowledge Check #3: __________, If someone accepted my position, what would be the implications? What am I implying?

Implications/consequences

Knowledge Check #3: __________, how did I reach this conclusion? Is there another way to interpret the information?

Inferences/conclusions

Knowledge Check #3: __________, what information am I using in coming to that conclusion? What experience have I had to support this claim? What information do I need to settle the question?

Information

System #2: What is, "reflective thinking?"

Informed problem-solving and deliberate decision making

Faulty Logic or Perception: What does the phrase, "argument from ignorance," mean?

Is a illogical to claim something is true because it has not been proven false.

****Faulty Logic or Perception: What does, "apophenia," and, "superstition," mean?

It is the erroneous perception of the connections between unrelated events.

System #1: What is, "reactive thinking?"

Judgments made on an everyday bases are automatic or reactive rather than reflective

Question Focused on Intellectual Standards: What does the term, "logic," mean? What questions should you ask yourself?

Logic is when the combination of thoughts is mutually supporting and makes sense. The thinking is then considered "logical." Does all this make sense together? Does your first paragraph fit in with your last? Does what you say follow from the evidence?

Use of Language: What does the term, "meaningless comparisons," mean?

Meaningless comparisons include language that implies something is superior but retreats from that view.

Basic Human Limitations: What are, "false memories," and, "confabulation?"

Memories are often, "manufactured," to fill gaps in recollection.

What does, "faulty logic," and, "perception," lead to?

Misconceptions, which are the basis of false or mistaken ideas.

What does it mean to be, "highly motivated?"

Natural curiosity to further one's understanding and work sufficiently to evaluate the multiple sides of issues

Psychological and Social Pitfalls

Perceptions can be misinterpreted due to psychological and sociological pitfalls. Reasoning can be twisted to gain influence and power.

Knowledge Check #3: __________, From what point of view am I looking at this issue? Is there another point of view I should consider?

Point of view

Question Focused on Intellectual Standards: What does the term, "precision," mean? What questions should you be asking yourself?

Precision means asking for more details or specifics. Questions should be phrased like: Could you be more specific? Could you give me more details? Could you be more exact?

Knowledge Check #2: __________, is criticizing the person making an argument, not the argument itself.

Psychological and sociological pitfalls

Knowledge Check #2: __________, is making irrelevant emotional appeals to accept a claim.

Psychological and sociological pitfalls

Knowledge Check #3: __________, what am I trying to accomplish? What is my central aim/purpose?

Purpose

Knowledge Check #3: __________, what question am I raising? What question am I addressing? Am I considering the complexities in the question?

Questions

Knowledge Check #1: What, "system #1," thinking?

Reactive thinking involves deciding first, reacting, and then trying to make sense of it all. Automatic (reactive) decisions that are made based on instinct, intuition based upon expertise, training, and practice.

Edward M. Kennedy Exercise: Instructions

Read the scenario below and the four student responses that follow. Evaluate each student's statement using Facione's scoring rubric. Base your evaluation on what the statements reveal about the quality of reasoning, not whether you agree or disagree with the conclusion. Again, using Dr. Facione's scoring rubric, place a label of 1 (weak), 2 (unacceptable), 3 (acceptable), or 4 (strong), next to each student's statement.

Knowledge Check #1: What, "system #2," thinking?

Reflective thinking begins with a state of doubt,hesitation, or perplexity and moves through the act of searching for information that will resolve, clarify, or address the situation/problem.

Question Focused on Intellectual Standards: What does the term, "relevance," mean? What questions should you ask yourself?

Relevance is the quality of being directly connected with and important to something else. How does that relate to the problem? How does that bear on the question? How does that help us with the issue?

Basic Human Limitations: What are, "personal biases, and, "prejudices?"

Result from our own unique life experiences and worldview, making it difficult to remain objective and think critically.

Basic Human Limitations: What does the term, "testimonial evidence," mean?

Should not rely on the testimonies and vivid stories of others to substantiate one's own beliefs. They are subjective, inaccurate unreliable, biased. and occasionally fraudulent.

Question Focused on Intellectual Standards: What does the term, "significance," mean? What questions should you be asking yourself?

Significance is the quality of having importance or being regarded as having great meaning. Questions like: Is this the most important problem to consider? Is this the central idea to focus on? Which of these facts are most important?

What is a, "free thinker?"

Some with an indpendent mind

Basic Human Limitations: What are, "physical," and, "emotional hindrances?"

Stress, fatigue, drugs, and related hindrances can severely affect our ability to think clearly and critically.

Chapter Summarized

The chapter began by learning about the attributes of a proficient critical thinker, such as open-mindedness, healthy skepticism, intellectual humility, free thinking and high motivation. Then continued with the approaches for evaluating information and system thinking. Next, examined various hindrances to critical thinking - from basic human limitations to the use of language. Then, finally discussed the different questions critical thinkers musk ask.

Use of Language: What does, "emotive content," mean?

The intentional use of words to arouse feelings about a subject to bias others positively or negatively, in order to gain influence or power.

Knowledge Check #2: __________, is a word or expression that can be understood in more than one way.

The use of language

Knowledge Check #2: __________, is the intentional use of words to arouse feelings about a subject to bias others positively or negatively.

The use of language

Use of Language: What does the term, "assuring expression," mean?

These expressions are those that disarm you from questioning the validity of an argument.

Psychological and Social Pitfalls: What does the latin phrase, "ad populum," mean?

This bandwagon fallacy is an appeal to the popularity of the claim as a reason for accepting the claim.

Psychological and Social Pitfalls: What does the phrase, "evading the issue, red herring, " mean?

This could happen when one is accused of wrongdoing by diverting attention to an issue irrelevant to the one at hand.

Faulty Logic or Perception: What does the phrase, "slippery slope fallacy," mean?

This fallacy is an argument that assumes an adverse chain of events will occur, but offers no proof.

Faulty Logic or Perception: What is, "pragmatic fallacy?"

This is arguing something is true because "it works," even though the cause of this something and the outcome are not demonstrated.

Use of Language: What does, "false implications," mean?

This is the use of language that is clear and accurate but misleading because it suggests something false.

Use of Language: What does the term, "doublespeak jargon," mean?

This is the use of technical language to make the simple seem complex, the trivial seem profound, or the insignificant seem important, all done intentionally to impress others.

Psychological and Social Pitfalls: What does the phrase, "poisoning the well," mean?

This is when one is creating a prejudicial atmosphere against the opposition, making it difficult for the opponent to be received fairly.

Faulty Logic or Perception: What is, "irrelevant comparison?"

This is when you are making a comparison that is irrelevant or inappropriate.

Psychological and Social Pitfalls: What does the latin phrase, "ad hominem fallacy," mean?

This type of fallacy is when one is criticizing the person making an argument, not the argument itself.

What is Facione's Scoring Rubric?

Was formally, "Holistic Critical Thinking Scoring Rubric (HCTSR)." Aids in evaluation of real-life examples of critical thinking as it requires one only to consider four evaluative definitions: strong, acceptable, unacceptable, and weak.

Questions Using Elements of Thought: What are some questions to ask yourself with the topic, "assumptions?"

What am I taking for granted? What assumption has led me to that conclusion?

Questions Using Elements of Thought: What are some questions to ask yourself with the topic, "purpose?"

What am I trying to accomplish? What is my central aim/purpose?

Basic Human Limitations: What are, "confirmation bias," and, "selective thinking?"

What confirms ones' belief, to ignore, not look for, or undervalue what contradicts one's beliefs.

Questions Using Elements of Thought: What are some questions to ask yourself with the topic, "information?"

What information am I using in coming to that conclusion? What experience have I had to support this claim? What information do I need to settle the question?

Questions Using Elements of Thought: What are some questions to ask yourself with the topic, "concepts?"

What is the main idea? Can I explain this idea?

Questions Using Elements of Thought: What are some questions to ask yourself with the topic, "questions?"

What question am I raising? What am I addressing? Am I considering the complexities in the question?

Knowledge Check #1: What is, "open-mindedness?"

Willingness to investigate viewpoints different from your own and ability to recognize when to doubt claims that do not merit such investigation.

SAMPLE ALDLC TEST QUESTIONS #1: Speaking to his boss, SSgt Binder says, I've always been taught to spend all the funds in our account. Otherwise, we lose that for good. Should we spend the funds left in our account on things we do not really need? Binder's boss responds, "you are the expert on resources...what do you think?" Binder replies, "I don't know." After Binder asks questions to find the facts and examines the issue from different viewpoints, he decides not to spend the funds. The following year, Binder's budget is cut by the amount he did not spend. SSgt Binder's final actions BEST illustrate __________ impact on mission effectiveness. a. proficient critical thinking and its b. critical thinking hindrance and their c. System 1 approach to decision making and its

a. proficient critical thinking and its

SAMPLE ALDLC TEST QUESTIONS #2: Observing how worried his subordinates looked while waiting to hear about the organizational restructure, SSgt Steven says, "It's a commonly known fact that a restructure is mostly for the leadership of the organization, so I wouldn't worry too much. We all know that the enlisted folks are the people that do most of the work around here and they wouldn't want to change that!" Afterwards, his subordinates started joking about it. Because of ______, SSgt Steven's comments will MOST likely _____his effectiveness. a. critical thinking hindrances; not change b. critical thinking hindrances; decrease c. characteristics of a critical thinker; increase d. characteristics of a critical thinker; not change

b. critical thinking hindrances; decrease

Knowledge Check #1: What does, "intellectual humility," mean?

o Adhering tentatively to recently acquired opinionsBeing prepared to examine new evidence and arguments even if such examination leads you to discover flaws in your own cherished beliefs; Stop thinking that complex issues can be reduced to right and wrong or black and white and look at degrees of certainty or shades of gray;Recognizing that "I don't know" can sometimes be the wisest position to take on an issue.

What are the characteristics of a, "critical thinker?"

o Raises vital questions and problems o Gathers and assess relevant info o Comes to well-reasoned conclusions o Open-minded o Communicates effectively