Thinking Critically: The Basis
of a College Education
chapter 5
“If you don’t think outside the box, you tend to get stuck in the ruts.” Donna Hardy
Williford, 41 Healthcare Business Informatics major Pitt Community College
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In This Chapter You Will Explore
 Why critical thinking is essential for success
 The meaning and value of a liberal education
 Why there are no “absolutely right” or “positively wrong”
answers to important questions
 How to sharpen your critical-thinking skills
 How logical reasoning can help you make sense of
conflicting ideas
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Your Turn : Group Discussion
 In your own words define liberal education. Why would
a “free” mind be an asset for you now and in the future.
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Critical Thinking Check
 Assessing your
strengths: Critical
thinking is one of the most
valuable skills you can
practice for success in
college and in the
workplace. Are you a good
critical thinker? Now that
you have read the first
section of this chapter, list
specific examples of your
strengths in critical thinking.
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 Setting Goals: What are
your most important
objectives in learning in this
chapter? Do you know the
difference between critical
thinking and “being critical”?
List three goals that relate
to developing and practicing
critical-thinking skills (This week
I will watch one TV news show, such
as Meet the Press, The O’Reilly Factor,
or The Daily Show, and make a list of
“facts” I question and why).
What Is Critical Thinking, and
Why Is It Important?
Your Turn
 On the basis of the
explanation above, how
would you rate yourself
as a critical thinker?
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Your Turn
 Think of a problem you
had to solve in the past.
How did you do it? How
can you draw on that
experience to improve
your ability to solve
academic problems?
Becoming a Critical Thinker
 ASK Questions
 Consider Multiple Points of View
 Draw Conclusions
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DID YOU KNOW?
54% of first-year students say they “frequently evaluate
the quality or reliability of information they receive.”
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Your Turn
 Imagine that your state has just approved a license
plate design incorporating a cross and the slogan “I
Believe.” Almost immediately, a number of organizations
begin protesting that this is a violation of the First
Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. What kinds of
questions will you ask ask to get at the truth?
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Your Turn
If you never have
worked with a study
group, now is the time
to try it and discover
how much more
learning can take place
in a shorter period of
time. How do you think
you could benefit from
joining a study group?
What reasons might
you give for not joining
one?
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How Collaboration
Fosters Critical
Thinking
Get a Second Opinion
 One way to become a better critical thinker is to practice
with other people. By getting feedback from another
person, you can see the possible flaws in your own
position. You will also learn that there are few black-andwhite answers to any question.
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Thinking Critically about
Arguments
 Challenge Assumptions
 Examine The Evidence
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Your Turn
 So far, what unstated assumptions do you see in
Richard’s argument? Explain why you might question
some of his claims.
 What’s the difference between Richard’s approach to the
truth and Sally’s? Which is more sensible? Why?
 In your opinion, is hosting the Olympics good or bad for
a city? Why? How can you reconcile Richard's views on
the subject with Sally’s findings? If you think the truth
lies in between, how would you go about discovering it?
 What, if anything, is wrong with making decisions purely
on the basis of your emotions?
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Beware of Logical
Fallacies
False Advertising: Advertisers
know that the public can be
easily influences to buy a
product promoted by a famous
athlete. Before admitting to
using performance enhancing
drugs, cyclist Lance Armstrong
endorsed everything from
shoes to athletic equipment to
beer. Good critical thinkers
evaluate products on their
merits, not their advertising.
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Beware of Logical Fallacies:
Have you
ever used any of these fallacies to justify a decision? Why was it wrong to do
so? Can you think of other errors of logic that might push you farther from
the truth?
 Here are some common missteps people make in use of
logic:
 Attacking the person.
 Begging.
 Appealing to false authority.
 Jumping on a bandwagon.
 Assuming that something is true because it hasn’t been
proven false.
 Falling victim to false causes.
 Making hasty generalizations.
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Critical Thinking in College and
Everyday Life
 Your Turn: Suppose you’re shopping for a surrounding
sound system. One good friend urges you to buy the
top of the line. Another well-meaning friend steers you
to a different brand, claiming it’s just as good as the
more expensive brand leader. Now all you know is that
two of your good friends have offered information might
not be true. How do you think critically about which
system to choose?
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Checklist For Success:
 Make sure you understand
what critical thinking
means.
 Find ways to express your
imagination and curiosity;
practice asking questions.
 Challenge your own and
other’s assumptions that
are not supported by
evidence.
 During class lectures,
presentations, and
discussions, practice
thinking about the
subjects being discussed
from multiple points of
view.
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Critical Thinking
 Draw your own
conclusions, and explain to
others what evidence you
considered that led you to
these positions.
 Join study groups of class
project teams, and work
as a team member with
other students.
 Learn to identify false
claims in commercials and
in political arguments.
 Practice critical thinking
not only in your academic
work but also in your
everyday interactions with
friends and family.
Build Your Experience
 Stay on Track
 One-Minute Paper
 Applying What You Have
Learned
 Building Your Portfolio
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 Complete the activity on
pge. 98-99
 Read and complete
Activity pg. 100
 Begin Reading Chapter
6,7,8
 Review PowerPoints on
D2L.
Reference
 Gardner, J. & Barefoot, B (2012) Your College
Experience: Strategies for Success Bedford/St.
Martin’s Ed 10th
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