Critical Thinking: Your Guide to Effective Argument, Successful Analysis and Independent Study

by Tom Chatfield

What is critical thinking? How do you apply it in your assessments? How do you build a good argument or find evidence? 

Critical thinking is a set of techniques. You just need to learn them.

This is your personal toolkit for demystifying critical thinking. Clear and focused, it shows you how to sharpen your ability to think critically by developing and honing your skills. You’ll learn how Designed to work with a power pack of digital resources and exercises, you′ll find practical and effective tools to think and write critically in an information-saturated age.

Whether you′re starting your first degree or arriving as an international or mature student, this book equips you with the skills, insights and confidence to succeed. This second edition has been redesigned and fine-tuned with a focus on with a new and improved layout to improve the eBook experience, and updated language, examples and further reading recommendations throughout.

Genres: Nonfiction, Psychology, Science, Philosophy, Self Help, Business, Personal Development

384 pages, Hardcover

Published October 6, 2022

About the author

Dr Tom Chatfield is a British writer, broadcaster and tech philosopher. Tom’s books exploring digital culture—most recently "Critical Thinking" (SAGE Publishing) and "Live This Book!" (Penguin)—have appeared in over two dozen countries and languages. He's currently writing a series of thrillers for Hodder set in the world of the dark net.

Reviews

[Katia N · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best I've read on the topic. It is lively, concise and well structured. The examples and the little tasks are interesting as well. It comprises of two parts. The first is related to the structure of arguments; different purposes and structures of texts (such as distinction between an explanation and an argument, summary and description); reasoning techniques and how to reconstruct someone else argument out of difficult text. It also deals with a bit of statistics and Bayer's theorem, but without maths. The second part is dealing with rhetoric, bias and effective writing. Predominantly I've read it to help my son with reading and essay's writing for his school work (the subjects such as history, for example). And, I think it fits the bill perfectly. However, I've learned a thing or two for myself as well. For example, I've learned a good way how to structure the review of a non-fiction book (or an article). Evidently, i have not used my new knowledge writing this, but maybe soon:-) I've also found fascinating lot of facts about bias well beyond the confirmation and survivorship ones (in a style of Thinking, Fast and Slow). I would recommend the book to anyone who needs a primer in critical thinking or about to learn some new area/help a learner.

[Denis Vasilev · Rating 4 out of 5]

Дельная книга по критическому мышлению, статистике, логике, когнитивным искажениям и еще много чему, даже поиску в интернете и написанию своей книги. Недостаток в том, что автор похоже захотел в одну книгу впихнуть почти все, что знает

[Pavel Annenkov · Rating 2 out of 5]

О ЧЕМ КНИГА:
Попытка уместить в одной книге все открытия и достижения когнитивной психологии последних десятилетий. В итоге получился набор разрозненных глав, вперемешку с банальными советами и избитыми примерами. Ничего оригинального у автора нет, один copy paste. Лучше читать оригиналы(Канемана, Талеба, Юдковского и др).

КАКАЯ БЫЛА ЦЕЛЬ ЧТЕНИЯ:
Узнать новые подходы в критическом мышлении и дополнить книгу Юдковского.

ГЛАВНЫЕ ВЫВОДЫ:
- Ищите не подтверждения, а опровержения. Любую мысль можно подтвердить бесчисленное множество раз, если выбирать исключительно свидетельства в ее поддержку.

- Иногда все предложенные варианты могут быть ошибочными. Прежде чем сделать выбор, задумайтесь, есть ли среди них лучший или наиболее рациональный. Нет причин принимать ни ту ни другую альтернативу. Выйдите за установленные рамки. Задумайтесь, действительно ли вам предоставляют выбор. Нет ли иного, лучшего взгляда на ситуацию? Ситуации мнимого выбора создают те, кто особенно боится проявлений критического мышления.

- Хорошо писать означает еще и хорошо переписывать)

ЧТО Я БУДУ ПРИМЕНЯТЬ:
- Хороший чек-лист для написания качественных эссе и научных текстов из последней главы книги.

ЕЩЕ НА ЭТУ ТЕМУ:
Нассим Талеб "Шкура на кону"

[☘Misericordia☘ ⚡ϟ⚡⛈⚡☁ ❇️❤❣ · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lot of logic and fun and logical fun. Reread.

Q:
Алгоритмические искажения и непостижимость процессов Я уже отмечал, что все данные создаются, а не обнаруживаются. Это становится чрезвычайно важным в сфере больших данных и алгоритмов машинного обучения. Особого внимания заслуживают две потенциальные проблемы. Во-первых, алгоритмы могут поглощать и воспроизводить любые искажения, присутствующие в исходных данных. Во-вторых, в силу непостижимости большинства процессов машинного обучения их трудно критиковать или перестраивать, если не понимать исходные данные и их ограничения на уровне эксперта. Однако у многих конечных пользователей алгоритмов такие знания отсутствуют. Исследование, результаты которого были опубликованы в апреле 2017 г. в журнале Science, показало, что алгоритмы анализа больших массивов англоязычных текстов перенимают гендерные и расовые предвзятости, заключенные в языке. Это лишь верхушка айсберга, указывающая на необходимость критического анализа, поскольку при отсутствии его получается, что мы учим машину поддерживать социальное неравенство, разного рода предубеждения и неравноправие69. Не говоря уже о компаниях, использующих эти алгоритмы для бесконтрольного продвижения своей позиции. (c) Well, yeah. Garbage in, garbage out. Same old.
Q:
Обучение с умом: десять простых советов, как нейтрализовать сетевые искажения 1. Не позволяйте эмоциональному воздействию управлять вашими действиями в интернете: если тема важна, сосредоточьтесь на верификации, происхождении информации и обоснованности чужих заявлений. 2. Изучайте историю редактирования и ссылки: постарайтесь установить, как и где в действительности появилась информация, получившая широкое распространение. 3. Не ограничивайтесь простым и сиюминутным: всегда идите дальше первой страницы результатов поиска, самых цитируемых ресурсов и наиболее популярных решений. 4. Доставляйте себе удовольствие глубокого погружения в интересующие вас темы и предметы, не ограничиваясь обзором бестселлеров и модных новинок. 5. Сочетайте преимущества больших и малых игроков: целенаправленно используйте маленькие сети и сервисы параллельно с крупными. Стремитесь по возможности изучить разнообразные личные рекомендации, обзоры и рекомендуемые ссылки. 6. Используйте социальные медиа, чтобы выбраться из «эхокамеры»: целенаправленно обращайтесь к людям и источникам, чьи взгляды и опыт отличаются от ваших собственных. 7. Не замыкайтесь в узких кругах: даже если ваши друзья проводят все время на каком-то одном ресурсе, не пользуйтесь единственным сервисом больше, чем всеми остальными, вместе взятыми. 8. Изучите собственный «пузырь фильтров»: проанализируйте, каким образом результаты поиска и рекомендации подстраиваются под ваши собственные историю и предпочтения, и подумайте, как можно изменить ситуацию. 9. Не ограничивайтесь сегодняшним днем: изучайте прошлое, стремитесь к большей перспективе, целенаправленно охватывайте поиском годы, а не месяцы. Сопротивляйтесь постоянному давлению текущего момента. 10. Всегда запрашивайте первичные данные: что измерялось и что не измерялось, как проводились измерения, какие предвзятости и ограничения могут содержаться в заявлениях, сделанных на основе этих данных? (c)
Q:
Постарайтесь хотя бы ненадолго освободиться от лихорадочной суеты новостных и социальных медиа, и вы заметите, что стали видеть мир совершенно иначе. Многие сайты, поисковые системы и социальные сети, выбирая критерии релевантности, делают акцент на свежесть и новизну. Это сочетается с преобладанием информационных потоков как способа представления информации с упором на модные темы и сиюминутность. (c)
Q:
Стратегии обнаружения связаны с выяснением того, что именно нам нужно узнать; они открывают пространство для исследования и предлагают различные точки зрения. Таким образом, можно выделить четыре категории знания и незнания. 1. Выявленное знание («известное известное»): вещи, о которых мы знаем, что они нам известны; чтобы получить информацию о них, обычно достаточно одного клика и точно сформулированного поискового запроса. 2. Выявленное незнание («известное неизвестное»): вещи, о которых мы знаем, что они нам неизвестны, и в силу этого, очевидно, требующие изучения; решить эту задачу поможет продуманная стратегия поиска. 3. Невыявленное знание («неизвестное известное»): вещи, известные нам, но не идентифицируемые нами как знание в процессе изысканий; успешный процесс выявления откроет перед нами спектр различных источников знания. 4. Невыявленное незнание («неизвестное неизвестное»): вещи, которых мы не знаем и сами не осознаем этого и которые, следовательно, можем обнаружить слишком поздно или не обнаружить вообще. Эти четыре категории можно представить в виде диаграммы, восходящей к технике психологического тестирования — окну Джохари (она была названа в честь создателей, Джозефа Луфта и Харрингтона Инхама, разработавших ее в 1955 г. в «Западных тренинговых лабораториях»). Цель данной техники — помочь людям лучше разобраться в своем уровне осведомленности. (c)

[Michelle Glatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! I am reviewing this book for School Library Connection so cannot post a full review here. I can, however, recommend it to all who want to think deeply about thinking critically (and deeply).

[Forensic Psych Student · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an accessible introduction to critical thinking; it provides sufficient detail and remains clear throughout. Whilst it is broad in approach, it does contain key themes; meta cognition, productivity and critical engagement with technology. Given it’s accessibility, it will have wide appeal.

Its readability means that difficult concepts are explained well and comprehensibly. It is structured logically; each chapter flows into the next, priming the reader for gradual increases in difficulty. Specifically, while the three types of reasoning - inductive, deductive and abductive - are given their own chapter, they fit together coherently. You understand that all forms of reasoning aim to give the best explanation of the world, but with different degrees of certainty. Logical fallacies are then explained, making it easy to understand how reasoning becomes faulty. Key concepts are clearly summarised at the end of each chapter, and while there are handwritten annotations throughout, these are sometimes difficult to read.

The level of detail is high, yet it remains a straightforward read. Difficult concepts are elucidated with examples and clarifications; the reader is never left wondering. The author is good at explaining complex concepts in everyday language, so reading can be deceptively easy. The book is very practical and strategic, with “Study Guide” sections throughout suggesting how to implement specific concepts, and questions designed to engage the reader. It is written to encourage active engagement and immediate behavioural changes.

Key to thinking critically is metacognition; the ability to think about how we think. This higher-order skill permits continued learning, improvement and adaptation. However, it is a resource-intensive process because it requires that we slow down; that we become aware of which heuristics (mental shortcuts) we use and the cognitive biases we fall foul of. It is this deliberate kind of thinking that can help us avoid being manipulated by such things as appeals to emotion (rhetoric) and frames of reference set by others. Although rhetoric is a valid means of persuasion, it is a tool which can be misused. Therefore, knowing when to stop and think is an essential message in this book, and is especially important in the Information Age.

Technology and systems are discussed extensively. When we engage critically with the world, we are seeking to explain how it really is, but the biases and filters embedded within systems limit our ability to access impartial information. For example, online services create filter bubbles based on our history and this means that we only see things deemed relevant by algorithms. Consequently, our sources of information get limited without us knowing and simply confirm what we already like, know and believe. We can overcome this by developing a search strategy to enable us to come across information serendipitously. This was the most interesting part of the book, and the strategies for avoiding such system biases were really helpful. Further, considering that critical engagement is resource intensive, we need to be aware of how the online world constantly seeks our attention, and develop strategies to mediate this.

Productivity is discussed in terms of how we engage in other’s work and become better writers ourselves. Key to this is our ability to conduct research and produce high-quality written work, which requires critical engagement not only with the work of others, but with our own work too. In turn, this means we need to be able to understand and evaluate reasoning, and form our own coherent arguments. The author stresses that reading is essential to writing and should be an active activity. When we engage with what we read and begin to write notes or ideas, this is the beginning of the writing process. It is therefore important that we develop habits which structure our time in a way which increases critical engagement and productivity, rather than either waisting time with inefficient habits, or by allowing our mental resources to be taken up by technology and the demands of others.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to think, write and understand the world better. It makes the reader think about how they think, encouraging them to reflect on their biases and heuristics, and reveals the complexities and unknowns that we all face everyday. It provides a gentle yet rigorous introduction to logic and the structure of arguments, explaining the various types of reasoning and the situations in which they are most useful. Crucially, it helps the reader engage critically with evidence and the world around them. From statistics to logical fallacies, they will be in a better place to avoid being the target of systems and individuals who seek to manipulate and bamboozle.

[Phil Filippak · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a compendium of critical thinking principles and recipes. It lays out a solid foundation even though it avoids going in-depth on most topics. Also, some of the examples are a bit stretched. It's a must-read for anyone who wants to start nurturing their inner skeptic but doesn't know where to start. And it's a nice book to read for those who want to repeat what they know and hone their critical thinking skills because as we know, repetition is the mother of learning. I'd rather rate it with 4 stars but I also want to maximize the number of people who end up reading it, so 5 it is.

[Alina Vasylchyk · Rating 3 out of 5]

це добре структурований типовий американський підручник, з купою термінів та прикладів. місцями було дуже навіть not bad, але до кінця осилила вибірково цікаві мені розділи. трохи не те що я очікувла 🙈

[Ashish · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a good read on the subject of critical thinking. However, I had already read 'Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman' and had studied Socrates a bit prior to this and so in my personal opinion I didn't find this book much useful as a way of furthering my understanding of this subject.

[Sergey Kislak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Много полезного.
Логика (индукция, дедукция, абдукция)
Риторика (этос, логос, пафос, кайдос)
Системно рассказывает.
Концовка смазана по мне.

[C.Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a step by step learning how to think critically, it's practical and useful but at the same time dry like reading a textbook.

[Q5iet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tom Chatfield's "Critical Thinking" is a magnum opus for the Information Age, an era inundated with data but starved for wisdom. Chatfield doesn't merely provide a toolbox for discernment; he offers an intellectual armory for the existential battles of the 21st century.

Highlights:

A Curriculum for the 21st Century: Chatfield goes beyond crafting a compelling narrative; he sets forth a curriculum for the modern mind. This book should be a mandatory read in academic settings, serving as the cornerstone of a new educational paradigm focused on intellectual self-defense.

Deconstructing Falsehoods: With the finesse of a seasoned philosopher, Chatfield equips readers to dissect arguments and identify logical fallacies. His exploration of deduction, induction, and abduction serves as a robust framework for separating fact from fiction.

Cognitive Biases Unveiled: Chatfield dives deep into the psychology of human reasoning, laying bare the cognitive biases that often obfuscate the path to rational thought. His guidelines for mitigating these biases are not just theoretical postulates but actionable strategies.

The Anatomy of Fake News: In an epoch rife with misinformation, the author offers a masterclass on identifying credible sources and detecting falsehoods. He delves into the architecture of information, dissecting the elements that determine reliability and validity.

Practicality and Application: The book stands out for its strong emphasis on real-world application. It is replete with tasks and examples, transforming the reading experience into an intellectual expedition.

Final Thoughts:

Tom Chatfield’s "Critical Thinking" is more than a book; it's a lifeline in a sea of misinformation. It offers a comprehensive arsenal for intellectual self-defense, making it an indispensable guide for anyone aiming to navigate the complex terrains of modern information with discernment and agency.

[Rosa Ventura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a text book really, about critical think. What it is , how we use it , how we should use it, how we are used by it. It is also about how to approach problems and issues critically ,how to weigh evidence ,how to evaluate the arguments and what is the use or value

Critical thinking: setting out actively to understand what is really going on by using reasoning, evaluating evidence and thinking carefully about the process of thinking itself
It’s about learning to recognize our own – and others’ – limitations; and knowing when to pause, think again and reach for the right questions in order to work out what is really going on.

As a practice he recommends
four simple questions whenever you need to think twice:
• Why should I trust this claim?
• Why does the person making this claim believe it – or want me to believe it?
• What else has been said, written or reported about this?
• Do I know enough to answer all of the above questions confidently?
If the answer to this final question is ‘no’, you need to face the fact that you don’t know enough to make an informed decision, and you must go in search of more information.

Slow down: critical thinking cannot happen in a rush. Before you do anything else, you need to take the time to engage your slow, considering mind rather than relying on instinct

Be reflective of your own thinking ..why should we do this? because CT should be thought of more as a set of techniques vs something that you either can or cannot do. And as a skill set it can always be better applied and therefore needs practice as well as on going maintenance to ensure we don't fool ourselves..There are a ton of great tips and techniques that will help anyone become more aware of their thinking process no matter what level. Recommended

[Ivaylo Durmonski · Rating 3 out of 5]

No one teaches us how to think.

It’s assumed that we should know how to think. Even more, that we should know how to think well.

But this is not something that happens so easily. For some people even, it never happens. They accept everything that comes their way and never question the norms. Never try to figure out why things are the way they are or why you shouldn’t believe everything your doctor is saying.

Critical Thinking by Tom Chatfield will level up your brain skills. Help you see things as they actually are. Convince you that you should ask questions and answer these questions by using even more questions.

We need critical thinking in our lives. We need it not only because we’ll find better answers. But also because our brains are full of flaws. Biases and misconceptions are commonly trying to steer us to harmful conclusions.

Critical thinking will unlock the attic of your mind and with this, help you see what was previously out of sight.

When it comes down to the actual book, though, it’s ridiculously boring. The text is so dense with facts, explanations of different concepts, and prompts to engage with the text that it’s hard to think deeply and actually get the main point.

Key takeaway:

Becoming a better critical thinker requires two opposing techniques. First, consider what the other person is saying. For a moment, even believe that it’s true. Secondly, use logic and questioning to falsify the statement and see the flaws. Your end goal should be to find the best explanation for everything.

Full summary: https://durmonski.com/book-summaries/...

[Luca Nicoletti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Critical thinking

Summary
Critical thinking is about how we see the world, and how we get from facts and information to reasoning and solution. This book guides you through a path of learning how to critically analyse everything you come in contact with, any information you face, any thoughts from other people, any article, book, or piece of information. It provides you with a lot of definitions, and it can sometimes feel like it repeats a few key concepts (like the idea of impossibility to avoid bias completely), but this is a strength since it reinforces those ideas in the reader.
The book is well-organised and follows a smooth path from beginning to end. Making it easy to follow. It contains a lot of exercises for you to challenge your own critical thinking and “rate” yourself with your score or results.
The best notion I got out of this book is that we should never rely on knowledge since it can change.

My evaluation
What did I like the most?
All the small “challenges” that the book has, make you aware of how critically you’re able to think, reason and get to solutions or final statements. It was challenging at times, and I got a few (many more) things wrong, but I’m confident that has taught me how to be a better critical thinker.

What didn’t I like?
The book has a lot of side-note (definitions) of keywords and key arguments on the side of the text: those definitions repeat the concepts and sometimes use the same words to explain what’s already in the “main” text on the page. I felt like many times those were redundant, explaining the same thing twice, on the same page.

[I Read, Therefore I Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tom Chatfield is an author, tech philosopher and educator with a focus on critical thinking skills. This really useful book is aimed at students but has a lot for ‘ordinary’ people who want to work on their critical thinking skills, including sorting through and questioning information, understanding biases and how to make a strong argument. It’s clearly written, easy to follow and has useful summaries at the end of each chapter.

[Soloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book covers cognitive biases, logic, rhetorical techniques, argumentation, and scientific method. Requires careful reading.

What I liked: well-written with examples and exercises, concise information, covers not only cognitive biases but also methods for active reading, writing quality research papers, and information gathering; good chapter structure with summaries at the end.

What I didn't like: personally, there was nothing fundamentally new for me.

[Uladzislau · Rating 3 out of 5]

Опус обо всем и ни о чем. Очередное свидетельство нехорошего тренда в современном научпопе - заниматься популяризацией, но забить на просвещение. Опуститься до уровня читателя, а не пытаться подтянуть его до своего собственного.
Что остается от книги в сухом остатке? Критическое мышление - это скептицизм, но не чрезмерный. Ну как бы и все. Доверяй, но проверяй. Ну так это во все века называлось "здравым смыслом" и прекрасно обходилось без кодификации. Sapienti sat. Как-то так.

[Alima · Rating 5 out of 5]

Отличная книга-пособие по КМ. Хорошо написана без заумного текста, классные упражнения. Единственно жалею о том что не прочитала ее 10 лет назад, когда начинала научную карьеру. Рекомендую всем! Развивате КМ у себя и особенно у своих детей!

[Alfonso · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book everyone should read.

[Anja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this from cover to cover and enjoyed it a lot! The structure is compelling, the explanations are clear, the examples are to the point, and the overall layout is also very appealing.

[Ilva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ļoti noderīga grāmata ikvienam. Pārdomāta un labi strukturēta, nemaz ne tik vienkārši uzdevumi sevis pārbaudei. Tiešām iesaku!

[Adimas Prasetyaaji · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sience backed books, tapi kadang terlalu teknis mungkin cocok untuk bidang linguistik atau komunikasi.

[Dennis Chow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very comprehensive text book. In the end it all blurred together and it was hard to distinct the terms and definitions from one another. I didn’t like the size of the book.

[Lulu · Rating 5 out of 5]

An good guide to start your critical thinking life.

[Edgar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book if you are starting to nurture yourself with tools to reason better or if you want to review them and practice.

[Алина Бережанская · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ничего нового не узнала, скучновато

[Sofia Balderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I could give this book 6 stars. It literally changed the way I think and it’s the best book I’ve read on smart thinking.

It’s cleverly designed and well-written, so it’s not only interesting to read but the exercises and prompts change how you think straight away. The style of writing is engaging and very down to Earth - the author doesn’t make you feel stupid when he points out errors in your thinking.

The book covers multiple areas where you may need extra cognitive reinforcement to make a better decision. It delves into psychology of biases, argument structure, reading and writing tips and so much more.

There are videos you can watch on YouTube after each chapter with the author covering the most important points with examples for further acquisition of the concept.

I found that I was never bored while reading it and was excited to read another chapter. I’m definitely a better critical thinker than I was before reading. Now I’ve finished it, I know that the changes in the way I think will always stay with me. I will keep it in my library for reference.

The book was written for undergrad or grad students but I do believe that everyone should read it. The lessons learnt from this book are widely applicable both to everyday life and at work. I think it will be most suitable for people who haven’t been to grad school or who never did research or just beginning to do so. Recommended!

[Jacqueline · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Niet alles wat je denkt, klopt ook"

Heel gaaf boek en leuk geschreven.