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What is Critical Thinking?

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Critical thinking is the disciplined, systematic analysis of evidence that arrives at an opinion, judgement or critique. This is often misunderstood as being a process of finding fault. However critical thinking can also arrive at positive opinions. Critical thinking is a process of intellectual engagement whereby evidence and assumptions are carefully reviewed to achieve an in-depth understanding before developing an opinion based on a reasoned process.

Overview

In practice, critical thinking is used to describe the many modes of thinking that are useful in an academic context. This includes skepticism, questioning assumptions, analysis, synthesis, evaluation, comparison, explanations, modeling and problem solving. Critical thinking is objective and systematic.
Summary: Critical Thinking
Function
Value
Providing an educated opinion that can be used to improve something, solve a problem or make a decision.
Related Techniques
Common Pitfalls
Allowing logical or personal biases to influence a critique.
Next: Examples of Critical Thinking
More about critical thinking:
Cognitive Strengths
Conclusions
Critical Thinking
Decision Making
Feedback Loop
Flow
Peer Review
Practical
Pragmatism
Problem Solving
Realism
Skepticism
Support Opposite
Synthesis Of Information
Thinking
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Conclusions

An overview of conclusions with examples.

Pragmatism

The definition of pragmatism with examples.

Realism

The definition of realism with examples.

Skepticism

The definition of skepticism with examples.

Decision Making

A list of decision making techniques.

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Decision Making Process

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Information Costs

A definition of information costs with examples.

Reverse Brainstorming

A definition of reverse brainstorming with examples.

Decision Fatigue

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Devils Advocate

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Paradox Of Choice

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Cognitive Biases

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Curse Of Knowledge

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Optimism Bias

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Decoy Effect

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Biases vs Heuristics

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Information Cascade

A definition of information cascade with examples.

Functional Fixedness

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Boil The Frog

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Anecdotal Evidence

The definition of anecdotal evidence with examples.

Scientism

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