Chapter 6
Q1: what must be done to analyze our thinking?
We must be able to take thinking apart and study how we are using each part. Once we
have done so, we apply the standards of thinking to those parts (clarity, accuracy,
relevance, logicalness, and fairness). Once we have a clear understanding of the thinking
parts and the intellectual standards, and apply them in our thinking on a daily basis; we
begin to see the quality of our lives improve.
Q2: Name and describe at least three of the eight elements (or parts) of thinking.
a) Reasoning within a point of view: our thinking has some comprehensive focus or
orientation and it's focused on something from some angle. We can either change
what we focus on or the angle of our focus.
b) Reasoning upon some question, issue, or problem means that we think about the
world in line with our goals, desires, needs, and values. We often face questions
we need to answer, problems we need to solve, and issues we need to resolve
c) By reasoning having a purpose, it means that when we think about the world, we
think about it in line with our goals, desires, needs, and values; not randomly.
Q3: What three recognitions are critical to evaluating information?
 Information and fact, information verification, are not the same thing
 Everything presented as fact or as true is not
 The prestige or setting in which information is asserted, as well as the prestige of
the person or group asserting it, are no guarantee of accuracy or reliability.
Q4: Explain the difference between inferences and assumptions. How are they
related?
 Inference: is a step of the mind, an intellectual act by which one concludes that
something is true in light of something else's being true, or seeming to be true.
They can be accurate or inaccurate, logical or illogical, justified or unjustified. For
example: if you come to me with a knife, I would infer that you mean to do me
harm.
 Assumption: An assumption is something we take for granted or presuppose.
Something we previously learned & do not question. It's a part of our system of
beliefs. We assume our beliefs to be true and use them to interpret that world. If
your belief is a sound one, your assumption is sound, and vice versa. Our beliefs
ad assumptions can be justified or unjustified depending upon whether we have
good reasons for them or not.
 Relation: We humans naturally and regularly use our beliefs as assumptions and
make inferences based on them. We must do so to make sense of where we are,
what we are about, & what is happening. Assumptions and inferences permeate
our lives precisely because we cannot act without them. We make judgments and
form interpretations (assumptions) & come to conclusions (inferences) based
our beliefs.
Chapter 7
Q1: Name and describe at least three of the intellectual standards of thinking.
a) Clarity: it's a gateway. If a statement is unclear, we cannot determine its
accuracy or relevance. We cannot tell anything about it because we don't know
what is being said. When a question has increased clarity, it provides a better
guide to thinking.
b) Accuracy: A statement might be clear but not accurate. To be accurate is to
represent something in accordance with the way it actually is.
c) Relevance: A statement can be clear, accurate, and precise, but not relevant to
the question at issue. Something is relevant when it's directly connected with
and bears upon the issue at hand, or applicable to a problem we are trying to
solve
Q2: What is the ultimate goal of applying intellectual standards to thinking, and
why is clarity considered a gateway standard?
To become so spontaneous in thinking that these standards form a natural part of our
inner voice; guiding us to better reasoning.
Clarity is a gateway standard because without it we will be unable to critically think
about the underlying issue. To adequately address any circumstance or question we
need a clearer understanding of what the issue is or what the person is trying to say.
Clarity lays out the intellectual task at hand in a more definitive way.
Q3: Define both accuracy and precision, and explain how they are different.
Accuracy: A statement may be clear but not accurate. To be accurate is to represent
something in accordance with the way it actually is. Critical thinking implies a healthy
scepticism about public description as to what is and is not fact.
Precision: A statement can be both clear and accurate but not precise. To be precise is
to give the details needed for someone to understand exactly what is meant. Specifics
are essential to good thinking.
Accuracy versus Precision
1. Accuracy deals with challenging the information presented for truth.
2. Example: “This bottled water is 100% pure.” (inaccurate)
Example: “This bottled water contains traces of chemicals.” (Accurate)
3. We tend to believe our thoughts are accurate because they are ours.
4. Accuracy can help find the true underlying issue.
5. Lack of accuracy is when people misinterpret or falsely describe.
1. Precision is added detail to ensure specifics.
2. Example: “Jack is overweight.” (imprecise)
Example: “Jack is 10 pounds overweight.” (Precise)
3. Some situations don’t call for accuracy; as extra information can be beyond
useful. (A doctor telling you to take 1.467 pills a day)
4. Lack of precision is when people don’t describe enough detail.
Chapter 8
Q1: What are three characteristics of life long learners?
Critical thinkers are life-long learners and take charge of their experience, their learning
and the patterned behavior that defines their lives. They design how they think and feel
1. Think about their decisions.
2. Give careful consideration to their options.
3. Are clear about their goals, problems and options.
Q2: Of what do our unanalyzed thoughts and experiences consist? How do we
reduce the irrational parts of our experiences?
Our unanalyzed experiences are some combination of rational and irrational thoughts
and actions. Only through critical analysis can we hope to isolate and reduce the
irrational dimensions of our experience. The ability to do so grows as we analyze more
and more of our experience.
Q3: What three questions should we ask in analyzing our experiences?
 What are the raw facts? What is the most neutral description of the situation?
 What interests, attitudes, desires, or concerns do I bring to the situation?
 How am I conceptualizing or interpreting the situation in light of my point of
view? How else might it be interpreted?
Chapter 9
Q1: List the four key logics of sound decision making.
 To recognize that you face an important decision
 To accurately identify the alternatives
 To logically evaluate the alternatives
 To have the self-discipline to act on the best alternative
Q2: Name and describe at least three dimensions of decision-making.
 Figure out the information you need, and actively seek that information.
 Carefully analyze and interpret the information you collect, drawing what
reasonable inferences you can.
 Evaluate your option in the situation. Taking into account their advantages and
disadvantages.
Q3: Identify three ways we can improve our decision-making.
 Reflecting critically on the nature and role of decisions in our lives
 Systematically adopting strategies that enhance the responsibility of our decision
making
 Comparing our global philosophy with the actual facts of our lives, seeking to find
our contradictions and inconsistencies and gaining a more comprehensive view
of the direction and quality of our lives.