Critical Thinking: The Basics is an accessible and engaging introduction to the field of critical thinking, drawing on philosophy, communication, and psychology. Emphasising its relevance both to academic literacy and to decision-making in a range of contexts, this book introduces and explains the knowledge, methods, and skills needed to identify and avoid poor reasoning, reconstruct and evaluate arguments, and engage constructively in dialogues.
Topics covered include:
- The relationship between critical thinking, emotions, and the psychology of persuasion
- The role of character dispositions such as open-mindedness, courage, and self-knowledge
- Argument identification and reconstruction
- Fallacies and argument evaluation.
This second edition has been revised and updated throughout, and includes an additional chapter on the relationship between critical thinking and emotions. There are also new sections on concepts such as the ‘experiential mind’ and ‘need for cognitive closure’, and contemporary examples drawn from issues including conspiracy theories, the pandemic, and misuses of social media.
With updated and expanded discussion questions/exercises and suggestions for further reading at the end of each main chapter, this book is an essential read for students approaching the field of critical thinking for the first time, and for the general reader wanting to improving their thinking skills and decision-making abilities.
Author(s): Stuart Hanscomb
Edition: 2
Publisher: Routledge
Year: 2023
Language: English
Pages: 286
City: New York, NY
Tags: Rationality; Cognitive Bias; Critical Thinking; Argument Forms
Cover
Half Title
Series Page
Title Page
Copyright Page
Table of Contents
List of Boxes
Preface and Acknowledgements
Introduction
0.1 What is Critical Thinking?
0.2 Critical Thinking and the Spirit of Philosophy
0.3 The Historical and Academic Context of Critical Thinking as a Discipline
0.4 Alternative Approaches
0.5 Critical Thinking and Ethics
0.6 This Book’s Approach (1): Overview of Contents
0.7 This Book’s Approach (2): The Use of Examples
Further Reading
1 Rationality and Cognitive Biases
1.1 Rationality
1.2 Heuristics and Biases
1.3 Framing
1.4 Conclusion: Argument and Rhetoric
Exercises
Further Reading
2 Critical Thinking and Emotions
2.1 The Nature of Emotions
2.2 Emotion and Rationality
2.3 Emotion and Reflection
2.4 Arguments Appealing to Emotion
2.5 Emotion and Dialogue
2.6 Conclusion
Exercises
Further Reading
3 Critical Thinking and Dispositions
3.1 Some Core Critical Thinking Dispositions
3.2 Guidelines for Constructive Dialogues
3.3 Conclusion
Exercises
Further Reading
4 Arguments and Argument Reconstruction
4.1 The Structure of Arguments
4.2 Propositions (Statements)
4.3 Argument Reconstruction
4.4 Summary
Discussion Question
Exercises
Further Reading
5 Argument Forms and Fallacies
5.1 Deductive, Inductive, and Plausible Arguments
5.2 Argument Forms and Fallacies
5.3 Critical Questions
5.4 Summary, and the Wider Analysis of Argument Forms
Exercises
Further Reading
6 Arguments, Social Power, and Message Source (Part 1)
6.1 Arguments from Expert Authority
6.2 Arguments from Position to Know (Information Power)
6.3 Legitimate, Reward, and Coercive Power
6.4 Summary
Exercises
Further Reading
7 Arguments, Social Power, and Message Source (Part 2)
7.1 Arguments Appealing to Character
7.2 Appeals to Referent Power and ad Populism Arguments
7.3 Summary
Exercises
Further Reading
8 Causal Arguments, Generalisations, Arguments from Consequences, and Slippery Slope Arguments
8.1 Causal Arguments and Causal Fallacies
8.2 Generalisations
8.3 Arguments from Consequences and Slippery Slope Arguments
8.4 Summary
Exercises
Further Reading
9 Arguments from Analogy
Exercises
Further Reading
10 Further Fallacies
10.1 Affirming the Consequent (and Denying the Antecedent)
10.2 Circular Arguments
10.3 False Dilemma
10.4 Perfectionist Fallacy
10.5 Red Herrings and Equivocations
10.6 Summary
Exercises
Further Reading
Conclusion
Glossary
References
Index
