Instructions will be in files Sample Chapter Outline for the Introduction
1. Introduction: What is Critical Thinking?
a. Both the World Economic Forum and the Society for Human Resource Management identify critical thinking as highly in-demand job skills. However, “critical thinking” is very hard to define.
b. Helen Boygues definition:
i. “reasoning through pressing issues, taking the time to evaluate a topic from all sides”
ii. “The ultimate goal of critical thinking is to think reflectively, objectively, and analytically about situations and problems.”
c. John Coleman – “the ability to analyze and effectively break down an issue in order to make a decision or find a solution.”
d. Ultimately involves using reason and logic to evaluate and resolve difficult, complex problems.
2. Sections of the book that will explore the process of critical thinking:
a. Get in the right mindset:
i. Goes through the basics of critical thinking, such as how to avoid urgency traps and using the scientific method.
b. Observe the situation:
i. Helps us observe situations better and avoid our own biased assumptions that we bring to problems.
c. Ask questions:
i. Learn how to frame questions better so we get the information we need to solve the problem at hand.
d. Seek differing perspectives:
i. We all have cognitive biases, so getting the viewpoints of others can help us overcome those biases and solve problems better. This section provides advice on how to do this well.
e. Analyze the information:
i. This section provides tips on how to analyze information/data better to lead to better outcomes, including when/how to “trust your gut.”
f. Make critical thinking a habit:
i. This section gives advice on how to integrate critical thinking into our lives such that it is habitually a part of how we approach problem solving.