Title: TOPIC 5: The Nature of Critical Thinking
Course: Introduction to Critical Thinking > Section: Course Content

TOPIC 5 - The Nature of Critical Thinking

5.1 Introduction

This topic gives an overall view of the elements of thought (see diagram below), traits that a critical thinker needs to develop, which includes the six modes of thinking and possible obstacles that might arise during the process of critical thinking.

The detailed content is Topic 5 Article.

1.2 LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of this topic you should be able to:

5.2.1      Explain the elements of thought and reasoning
5.2.2      Explain essential intellectual traits and barriers to critical thinking
5.2.3      Apply the six-hat approach in their day-to-day activities

5.3 Below are the resources you will need
  - ·Topic 5 Article. Click here to download
  - Video 5.3.1 The Definition and Purpose of Critical Thinking (13 min). Click here to download the English transcript of this video.

Advice: Copy and paste the learning outcomes above in a document and fill in the answers as you read the article and watch the video above. This will help you better understand the content.

5.4 Activity (e-tivity)

Individual – Start (about 60 min) | 5.4.1 | Read Topic 5 Article and watch Video 5.3.1. Make short notes of your own.

Buddy - Pair (about 60 min) | 5.4.2 | Reflect about yourself as a critical thinker and making reference to your notes in 5.4.1 discuss with your buddy what traits and biases you think you have and how to overcome them. Make short notes of your discussion. Do NOT post your notes on the class forum, you will need them for Assessment 5.5.1.

Group/Class (about 60 min) | 5.4.3 | Post on the Group/class forum an example of a statement or argument you recently came across or heard that shows poor critical thinking. Explain why it is an example of poor critical thinking. Comment on any other of your classmates’ forum posts.

5.5 Assessment

All assessments should be uploaded  by the deadline given by your lecturer

Individual  Assessment (about 40 min) | 5.5.1 | In the forum Assessment 5.5.1 (Upload), submit the notes of your discussion in 5.4.1. (1000 words max)

Individual  Assessment (about 40 min) | 5.5.2 | In no more than 400 words, analyse this argument: Do not trust Anne because she is a lawyer. In your analysis, refer to the Table Hindrances due to basic human limitations which appears in Article 5. Submit your work to the Assessment 5.5.2 (Text) forum.

Individual  Assessment

(about 40 min)
5.5.3
Write very brief answers to this quiz:

1.     If the conclusion of a valid argument is false, why must one of the premises be false?

2.     Give examples (one each) of a valid argument that is: (i) Good (ii) Bad

3.     What does it mean to say an argument is strong?

4.     Give examples (one each) of a strong argument that is: (i) Good (ii) Bad

5.     State the guide to repairing arguments.

6.     List the circumstances in which we shouldn’t repair an argument.

7.     What does it mean to say that someone is mistaking the person for the argument?

8.     Give an example of a rumor or gossip you heard in your personal life recently and that you believed. Did you have a good reason to believe it? Why?

Shouldn’t you trust an encyclopedia over your own experience? Explain

Submit your answers to the Assessment 5.5.3 (Upload) forum.