In the UK most colleges offer a 2 year A-level course on 'critical thinking'.Within the course the class is tought how to view different sides of information and present an argument for it accordingly along with many other things.I'm not too sure on what the course truly consist of since I don't plan on taking it myself once i go college however I wouldn't mind giving you some links if you wish to have more information on the matter.
@WarbladeX1 You’ve just defined critical thinking as “the process of thinking.” That’s not a very strong definition. I suggest you watch TheCarruth’s video response to this video. As “animals not thinking twice,” that’s ridiculous. Firstly, we ARE animals, and you’ve said we think twice. Many species can be observed in lab environments and their natural habitats reasoning their way through circumstances to solve problems.
@GrapplingIgnorance a monkey trying to fit a square in a circle is not thinking, its trial and error. snakes do not think twice about bitting, neither does dogs. a human can stop in the process of killing and say, mabe this is a bad idea. thats the difference that we are NOT animals and its called critical thinking.
@WarbladeX1 You can deny it all you want, but humans ARE animals. We are filed into taxonomy just like all other living creatures. Here's where we fall specifically: Domain: Eukarya -> Kingdom: Anamilia -> Phylum: Chordata -> Class: Mammalia-> Order: Primates -> Family: Primates -> Genus: Homo -> Species: Homo Sapiens. Snakes bite their prey, but not their young- thinking. Loyal dogs bite intruders but not their owners- thinking. Their brains recognize distinctions & they act based on thoughts.
@GrapplingIgnorance explain how a pitbull or others dogs maul kids and owners without even agrivating the animal. this is fact and its been known on camera. lots of animals and insects bite because they don't like the smell of someone. its an impulsive action of defensive rage called instinct. meaning action without thinking. now im not saying humans can't act like animals. people with low I.Qs are proof of that. lol
@WarbladeX1 Wow- you just answered your own question. Those instances you described are products of instinct. Humans have natural instincts too. Often times evolutionary instincts in all animals (including humans) take precedence over careful thought. This is true for all people, not just those of low intelligence. It's why noises in the dark scare us, why mothers will die for their children without "thinking" and a myriad of other examples. Just do some research and LEARN: humans ARE animals.
@GrapplingIgnorance yes, we all have natural instincts but being able to control or shut it off makes the difference between.. ok lets say man and beast, does that sound gooder or do i have to go deeper into explaining myself. all because we both are warm blooded and have a brain does not make us the same as animals. your talking about kingdoms of classification. thats only for science when they file living creatures into categories.
@WarbladeX1 Your facile understanding of biology renders you impotent in this discussion. If you can't even understand that we're animals with a place in earth's echosystem just like all animals, there's no point in the conversation. Our evolutionary path has made us more dependant on our brains than our bodies for survival, but that doesn't mean we're the only animals who can think. Back to your original point, you're broadened the definition of "critical thinking" to being human. Worthless.
teaching critical thinking is like "telling a cook to cook deliciousness." That's rich! Thanks! You say that teachers should teach students an openness to being challenged and being wrong, does that then mean that teachers should display (model, to use the jargon) this openness to their students? I do believe that, but I find it's controversial to encourage your students to challenge you-- other teachers are very threatened by this, probably because they are more into control than education
@pastafarianprophet I think it's very important for students to know that I can be wrong, as I'm a human just like they are. If they think I'm wrong about something, I encourage them to research it and correct me, that way I won't be wrong about it anymore, and all of us will get smarter in the process. I don't feel threatened by the possibility of getting smarter, and I don't want my students to be threatened by it either. Modeling for things like that is essential.
I am pretty sure, that critical thinking has to be stimulated before kids get into school.
Older students seem to either have the ability to think critically or they don't, (at least those who I've met) so I think parents should take the responsibility of making sure their kids grow up to have basic critical thinking skills.
GI, CriticalThinkingOrg has a channel here on YT. They've posted a five-part video series designed for children that illuminates the principles involved in a comparatively simple and straightforward manner. Some time ago I'd watched these vids with my kids, and we followed up with some thought experiments and discussions of real-world experience. They found the process invigorating. It's indeed unfortunate that so many are oblivious to these unassailable concepts; hopefully we can change that.
the crazy thing is that my college teaches critical thinking. Basically what it is is debating in essay form, so it's not really critical thinking at all
I, for one, am almost absolutely convinced that critical thinking ability is dependent on upbringing and intelligence. Mostly the former, but intelligence is important as well.
7) ...but most people don't! Because they do what the book told them which is of course "this book is good and it says the truth so believe everything in it." So you can put anything you want in it and they will believe it. They can be rocket scientists and still believe a book that says the earth is 10.000 years old. I hope we find the right way to teach critical thinking, or maybe the only way to teach it is to let the kids "learn" it by their own by not filling their heads with stupid lies...
6) ...and help us evolve further without the fear of killing each other over some retarded reason. For me critical thinking is the ability to put together pieces of information and make out an outcome without having to rely on what others told you. Like for example the subject you (and I as a matter of fact) talk about most. Religion. "This book says stoning to death is good" + "this book was inspired from an all loving deity" = ?
Well someone with critical think would say = "bullshit".....
5) ...in my opinion would be like trying to teach a very good painter how to play the piano and even worse. You might be a great programmer but suck at cooking, you might be a great violin player but can't even write your name etcetera. It's out of their reach. But memory and math are easier to test evaluate so people believe that they are the ones that have to do with intelligence mostly. But critical thinking in my opinion is the most important, the one that will take us out of our misery.....
4) ...passes by mercury (I don't remember which planets they where exactly but anyway) and they affect your mood negatively since you are a cancer thus we might fight so let's wait for 20 minutes till they go apart." And I am sure you and lots of other people have similar examples. These people are lawyers and doctors yet their critical thinking sucks ass! They just had a bit of a good memory, they studied a lot, passed some tests and became what they became. Teaching them critical thinking.....
3) ...memory in the future I guess. Critical thinking on the other hand is different. Not everyone has it. I met a lawyer who is over 30 years old and speaks 7 languages that believes in unbelievable crap like that the number 6 is evil (!?) cause it comes from 666 which is satan's number... A friend of mine met a surgeon who speaks 6 languages and believes in signs in the extend that once she told him "let's not talk right now cause jupiter (or whatever. I don't remember)...
2) ...without looking at the page of course. There was a kid that flew with a helicopter over a city and then drew by memory everything, all the buildings, streets etcetera, even windows in each building was exactly the right number. Most of these people though are autistic but as a friend of mine said these are attempts of nature to evolve our brains further and those first attempts are flawed. As if nature is experimenting. Probably we will all have such mathematical abilities and...
1) Critical thinking. I don't think you can teach that, at least easy. In my opinion there are many types of intelligence, mathematics, arts, linguistics, etcetera. The most important for me though is critical thinking. There are people who can multiply numbers with 10 digits each and come up with the outcome in seconds. Or people that have amazing memory, read a book and then you can ask them what was the fourth word in the second paragraph of page 86 and they will tell you exactly the word....
Excellent vid. As an ex-teacher I am very pleased you looked at the difficulties faced by educators which is very often glossed over. Heck if I could resub to increase your stats, I would do so!
While I agree with you to some degree, I do in fact teach courses on critical thinking. While a great deal can be taught directly about the subject, it's true that knowing what critical thinking is does not make you a critical thinker.
I all ways thought it was the ability to "critically think" about specific life choices, meaning it would be the ability to make the right choices instead of bad ones. That's my own interpretation of it. I guess the problem with "Critical thinking" would be the meaning, but there are a lot of other words that suffer the same effect of having many multiple meanings. I all ways thought that was obvious though.
Critical thinking-identifying assumptions, causal links between a set of premisses and its conclusion,comparing and contrasting evidence and arguments,assessing the reliability of evidence and arguments,constructing an argument. Think thats about.....it?
We should start simpler - just teach thinking. Being spoon fed facts and then requiring them to regurgitate them at a later date doesn't teach anyone anything, and yet this is what most of school is.
The best way to teach it is to make them use it. Put them through mind games in which you lie to them. Make it a game. Make sure you make them aware that you will only act this way in games like that and stick to it. If they correctly spot the lie and show that they figured it out the proper way, there should be a reward. A little game I play while watching the news is "guess the angle". I plan to play it with my kids. I hate political double speak.
I feel like it's an important thing to do (to think, to analyze); but the best way I know how to do it, is to have a topic presented, and then be told "now ask yourself why. Come up with answers, then ask yourself why, for each of those answers."
I've always asked people, "how", as in "how /would/ we teach critical thinking?" You seem to have a good grasp, of how tricky it really is.
I still feel it's an important skill though, so I'll probably keep asking: "How?"(& the answers are interesting)
Damn you. You just blew one of my favorite icons out of the water. Now I must think ( with my f%#ked up brain ) of a new easy 'solution' that fits into a sound bite that will 'save the world'. You bastard.
Good video. You raise some good points. Often the term critical thinking is applied to ideas that are so tenuous as to be almost baseless. For instance the whole canon of reflective practice that whilst having some rational as a way of taking notice of extra conscious aspects of what it means to be human is in fact premised on incredibly shaky foundations and is characterised by a flood of semi mystical literature. Schon was interesting but not rigorous in my opinion.
i wish i had more teachers like you in school, when i was in too bad we cant: theres always some jackassy religious politically correct parent having to ruin it for everyone
Critical thinking? Trying to disprove one's own arguments before putting them out? I could be wrong but that is how I define it. Critical thinking could be critical of thinking itself.
@HybridD91 As you can see from this comment thread, everyone has their own definition of it, or preference for someone else's idea of it, or way they would teach it etc. Most of which are very nice definitions and idea, but still inconsistent.
It is very possible to teach the foundations of critical thinking. Teaching the elements and basics of logic and philosophy, and what constitutes things like science and evidence and facts and arguments is definitely teachable. This groundwork is what I mean by teaching critical reasoning.
Critical thinking, the scientific method, and black box troubleshooting are essentially similar: the opposite of credulity. See AntiCitizenX's "The Black Box of Empirical Falsification" I would teach it by making a game like "what is in the box?" The rules would be guess what is in the box with out opening the box. Let them shake it, weight it, crush it, etc, as long as they don't open it. The method that most accurately describes what is in the box wins a "Noodle Prize."
Critical thinking in my opinion is about challenging your beliefs and preconceptions. I understand that we could all have different valid points on critical thinking but... Right now there is such a lack of critical thought that quite honestly, I would be happy with any start on critical thinking skills. How about it?
@tsunami770 "any" start implies that it's not done at all. Quality teachers of any discipline are able to inject skepticism and deeper levels of thought into their existing curricula.
@GrapplingIgnorance I was more concerned with the lack of it but something should have told me that was coming lol. Some say the cup is half full... Others say it is half empty... You are like "where the hell did this cup come from?" :) Thanks bud I appreciate and always enjoy your perspective.
The best thing is to teach logic and lots of writing skills. Also, let kids debate all kinds of subjects to expand 'critical thinking'. That would possibly be the best solutions to get people educated.
Also, check out Technocracy Technate Design. It's a science based social design. It's humanitarian by default. Since many of you consider yourselves secular humanists I think you'll appreciate something like this. M. King Hubbert is probably the most notable technocrat. Thanks.
What is really needed is the insight that a 19th century prussian system designed to produce soliders , factory workers, and farm hand can't hope to cope with today's reality.
You make a really good point, I totally agree that it needs to start with the parents, or whoever is raising the kids. I think critical thinking itself can be encouraged in classrooms, giving students open ended writing prompts and asking them to give their thoughts/opinions on different things, having class debates, having students try to debate their own ideas from the viewpoint of another side, encouraging kids to expand on their ideas and opinions, to research when they don't know something.
Our college actually has a class called "Humanities: Critical Thinking". So yes, we actually have a class devoted to critical thinking. I took evolution in its place though.
Teaching someone how to think is brain washing. That person would be acting as if they were thinking for themselves but, would just be following direction. It would be likely for them to fail, at some point.
I read the title and thought to myself, "How the hell do you teach critical thinking!?" I was fooled. Good video.
@legendsofatheria Uh, by that logic, teaching kids ANYTHING is brainwashing. How are THEY supposed to know that 1 + 1 = 2? The only reason kids think that is because they've been BRAINWASHED.
Have you NEVER heard of an ethics class in college? It is not brainwashing.
Logic, philosophy, argument forms, fallacies, etc. Have you ever told a lie? What do you call someone who lies? So, by your own definition you are a liar. Children need to be taught how to recognize bad arguments and what information is necessary in order to order to make decisions. I would start with logic.
@wormsto It's a course in college in America, too. But grappling has a point. You can't teach critical thinking. The best you can do is present opportunities to think critically and try to explain what they're doing right and wrong.
My definition of critical thinking is to take the information you've been given, and question it. Just because it comes from an authority doesn't mean the authority is right. Look into it, check the data, reach the manuscripts, whatever. Even the bible says test everything and keep what is good.
"One tradition along these lines involves making the claim that two invisible unicorns inhabit Camp Quest. Campers are told that these beings cannot be seen, heard, touched, smelled, tasted, and that they cannot do harm, do not eat, and leave no mark. An ancient book handed down for untold generations offers proof that the unicorns exist, though no one is allowed to see this book."
@deathman1021 Exactly. Oh, I just realized I accidentally cut out what the kids do. They are told that they are to disprove it. Anyone who can disprove it gets $100(As of yet, no one was won the reward).
You can also teach the basics of argumentation: logical fallacies, evidence, etc.
When I say teaching critical thinking. What I mean by that is giving people the tools to analyze claims, ideas, and other information on the merits of logic and evidence.
These include learning fallacies, and determining whether there is enough evidence evidence to support a claim. This can also include learning how to apply logic to determine if a claim without evidence is a likely or even possible scenario.
Critical thinking can be learned, because everything we do is learned.
@IHighLikePlane: true, and it's also the way to interpret the ideas and situations that are currently revolving through the human race. That comes to mind of people like us who has main intentions to relate to any causes and so forth on case studies that are and/or were based on experiences from intellectual standards of another person.
I consider critical thinking just an act of viewing any issue from multiple points of view, recognizing and acknowledging credible evidence, and finding a reasonable and logical conclusion. This ability is not exactly born within our nature and can be learned and perfected with practice. Teachers can use their subject of choice to teach this ability.
My physics professor had a saying that fits this notion: “Having an open mind is very admiral but an open mind without the filter of skepticism is only a mind that everyone dumps their trash into.” I think “critical thinking” requires one to be a profound skeptic; when you’re accused of being too skeptical then you’ve achieved “critical thinking”. ;-)
critical thinking: solving problems that have multiple avenues of coming to solutions (with varying degrees of success). allowing a person to solve a problem and come up with their own solution, then showing them another, possibly more effective, solution and allowing them to process and take away the idea that, "there is more than one way to skin a cat" as it is said. rinse and repeat.
teaching about logical fallacies and cognitive biases will at least provide a base. As you said, however, when kids become good at argumentation the adults loose their authoritarian power. "Because I said so" is not reasonable grounds to believe a proposition is true. "Trust that I have your best interests in mind, we'll talk about it when there's time" is as good of a compromise as can be had... even if it is not free from fallacy.
Here are three analytical techniques I regularly use in consulting: Systems Thinking, Theory of Constraints Thinking and Structured Brainstorming (i.e. using mindmapping). In general, for problem solving, it is most helpful to develop inductive versus deductive reasoning and presentation. Why? In the classic syllogism or chained syllogisms, if the audience disagrees with any premise, the reasoning can be easily dismissed even if the underlying conclusion remains sound. My two cents.
wow, everyone of your videos is like opening a window and letting fresh air in. thanks for posting these and hopefully we can change the world, one youtube view at a time.
@GrapplingIgnorance NO NO NO NO, pls don't use "air-quotes", it's sooooooo wrong. Most of us will understand the inflection in your tone. Don't pander to the inept with air-quotes, please. :OP
BTW your not having a face in this video is a little bit scarey. MWAHHAhaaha.
I don't think that when people say, "Teach critical thinking" that they mean to have an actual class devoted to it. I think they mean that teachers should emphasize it more when teaching all classes. I know that when I was growing up, I felt frustrated at the lack of encouragement (even discouragement) from teachers when I or a fellow student would question something that was being taught.
@panurge987 I'm on board with that concept, but it's still an oversimplification of what a teacher does. It would be like telling a teacher "teach kids to be smart, because being smart is good!"
Sure critical thinking should be emphasized in all classes, but it's not like there isn't enough material to have a critical thinking course. I've taken a critical thinking course and it's probably the reason I'm an atheist today. It's not really an oversimplification, you can teach the basic principles of critical thinking. It's not going to be a magic bullet, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't try. I don't really understand your argument against critical thinking classes.
@TheVofR Because the term is ubiquitous and malleable to whatever district decides to implement it and whomever instructs it. You've given a personal account of when it worked well for. Many people in this same comment thread have mentioned taking such classes that completely missed the mark. If you're still having trouble understanding my frustration on the issue, watch Ben Carruth's video response to this video.
Watched his response and I disagree on just about everything he said.
It's just that as someone who has seen it done right I feel that we should at least strive to teach it well, even if sometimes it fails. I'm not quite sure of your position. Are you just saying that it wouldn't be as easy as everyone thinks, or are you saying we shouldn't even try it?
I'm going to hunt down my old textbook for the class, so that you can find it if you want.
@TheVofR As I've said, the concepts associated with "critical thinking" should be incorporated into existing classes at the high school level. The concept should be encouraged and nurtured across the board- as should the teaching of the objective rules of logic. However, full classes on "critical thinking" "philosophy" and "psychology" as studies in and of themselves are best reserved for the college level at this point. That doesn't mean elements from those disciplines can't still be covered.
Actually, I always thought that teaching critical thinking would involve teaching logical fallacies, flaws of the mind which are well understood in psychology, failures of memory and perception which are also well understood and backed up by tonnes of experiments, many phenomena from social psychology(confirmation bias, cognitive dissonance, Dunning-Kruger effect), etc.etc.
This is all very specific stuff and solid basis for teaching critical thinking.
@FluidDeconstructor Logical fallacies can/are/should be thought by any teacher of writing already. High school isn't the place for psychology classes, unless we're going to reform the education system to start giving prospective psychologists classes relative to their career aspirations (which I'm in favor of) High schools are already trying to keep their heads above water teaching their current curricula, which can be adapted to incorporate some things you mention here in a practical way.
@GrapplingIgnorance Also, that "what?" shit tries to make what I say subjective, what modernity says is based on fact, what you postmoderns say is subjective.
@jonnblevins A. I didn't ask you "what?" because I was incapable of reading your comment. Of course, for me to be illiterate would mean that I couldn't write either, and since I've demonstrating writing capability, that's a foolish insult to bother with. Of course, if you were going to insult someone just because they didn't understand you own incoherent ramblings, that would probably make you a douche bag. I also don't know why you keep commenting on my videos calling me a "post modernist."
@panurge987 Our whole society in the states highly discourages questioning authority. Our leaders know that if we really asked ourselves if these people should be our leaders, the answer would be no. Face it, we are trained to be good little chattle. That is not a miss-spelling. I do not mean cattle. Just ask anyone who has a boos that is less qualified than they are. The boss is normally an asshole, because they know they don't deserve the authority they have.
@Pitviper1979 The internet is full of "free thinkers" who scorn the government that rules over us, and apparently has intentionally kept us stupid, unquestioning, and subservient. So what have we allegedly blooming enlightened ones who are apparently so aware of this that we have the capacity to question it done about? Don't get me wrong- I'm all for a good rallying rant, but have we spoken with our votes or revolted in any way? I haven't seen us do anything more than the "chattle."
@panurge987 In the UK you can actually take Critical Thinking as a subject with an exam. I can't help thinking that is probably more use than many other subjects.
Also you can't expect teachers in general to emphasize critical thinking because apart from the science teachers, most are as clueless about it as the pupils.
A while back I read something about a teacher that offered his/her students a 20 dollar bill if they could demonstrate that the teacher got something wrong throughout the school year either while teaching or in general conversation. If I remember right, the teacher did have to pay out to a couple students but this concept got the kids into analyzing and scrutinizing not just what the teacher told them but what other authority figures told them as well.
USF critical thinking course description: "Methods of thinking that lead to reliable conclusions, with emphasis on concrete cases in ordinary thinking and the sciences." I think it is basically informal logic.
reminds me of the linux advert for some bizarre reason watch?v=0USp7nSzTPY , i guess someone who thinks critically would take in all evidence without outright ignoring the evivence because they feel uncomfortable with outcome conculsion that said evidence would lead them to , and yeah it such a grey area
However unwilling or unready parents might be to teach (or allow) critical thinking in their children, it's hard to imagine how a basic school course in critical thinking skills could do any harm, assuming a competent teacher. How about simply introducing the different types of fallacies? Learning to recognize invalid arguments? Sound versus unsound? An introduction to symbolic logic would reinforce these skills and form backbone for math as well. The "flavor" can be cooked, I think. :)
@TheViciousSquare Those things get injected already into any "competent teacher's" class of persuasive writing. That still doesn't mean that you're teaching kids how to think critically, and if the parents aren't behind and enforcing what you're teaching, then you're spinning your wheels in the process.
@GrapplingIgnorance Your video? Ofcourse I did. You were displaying definitions of Critical thinking and making it seem like a nebulous concept which is difficult to teach. I was just trying to point you in the direction that I believe the vast majority of youtube atheists lean torwards when they say 'critical thinking'. If you haven't seen Qualia Soup's work you should definitely check them out. They're nothing short of brilliant. I enjoyed your video very much as usual, keep up the good work.
Thank you for the compliments, I am sure that is not why people continue to watch your vids. Don't forget, now that you know evolution is a "fact" you are all smart and educated in other ways. Thank you middle school education.
I think a safe way to define critical thinking is as the techniques that allow us to bring our beliefs in harmony with reality.
Examples include teaching logical fallacies, so that we may avoid them. Teaching how easy it is to fall into confirmation bias. In general, critical thinking is not so much a 'positive' thing, as much as it is teaching people how not to fall in the common intellectual traps.
At least, that's this one persons subjective opinion :P
@Sines314 Exactly- it is a subjective opinion, and logical fallacies should be covered in writing classes when going over persuasive writing. It's easy to sit back and say that's a good thing unless you're in a small bible belt town and have to deal with the parents of 10 kids who start questioning the logical fallacies of their parents arguments or their religion.
Thanks for this. I've always hated that vapid phrase. It completely misses the point that logical thinking is not all that is needed. Take William Lane Craig for example. His logic is near perfect. he's a good philosopher and great at rhetoric. BUT HIS PREMISES are wrong! Teaching him critical thinking didn't help anything because no one taught him the correct FACTS.
There are already classes for critical thinking. Philosophy, and debate. Philosophy (101) covers absolute truths. Which is frustrating and enlightening (to me it was). Debate requires you to pass the 'shit test'. A lot of people argue subjectively and don't realize it. Debate classes and competitions address that. But I agree, anything more is too broad, and thus dangerously open to abuse by an agenda.
Also, GI, your particular role as an educator is more about effectively understanding and communicating ideas. It should be the science, math, and, dare I say, social studies/history teachers that cover critical thinking as a learned skill.
@Celephais42 I think we can all incorporate elements of it into our existing curricula. I cover many logical fallacies of argumentation when I work on persuasive writing, but it boils my blood when people who champion themselves as "free thinkers" run around demanding "logic class" or "critical thinking" class in school. Maybe we should just have a class that teaches them to be smart, huh? That would simplify the whole matter!
It also may take more time than the department chair will allow. The school system has become very Taylorist in that everything needs to be done, all boxes need to be checked. If no one learns anything in the allotted time then too bad. "Coverage" is killing learning. As a student teacher, I watched teachers fly through activities instead of allowing extra time for the students to process ideas because they needed to stay on schedule. The schools are too mechanical in their approach to learning.
Good points. I think it is important for people to learn to think for themselves but teaching this is easier said than done. I do think parents play a large role but a person can learn regardless of their parents, it just takes longer. I was raised to never question the bible but it was when I really starting getting into science that I did start to question (and for some reason stopped believing) so it's possible but not easy so many don't want to think for themselves and that's a shame.
I definitely agree that it starts with parenting especially teaching your children that yes sometimes mum(s) and or dad(s) can be wrong from time to time as well as teachers and scientist. Another thing would be teaching about logical fallacies and how to recognise them.
a viciously strict application of the socratic method can be very effective. I use this in moderation with my childeren to get them to understand logical fallacies on their own. How do you know that? How certain are you that that is a valid source? Is there an alternate opinion or theory? How deeply have you researched them both? I want them to know that uncertainty is not always a bad thing, and that the methods are more important than the data.
@Zaunstar College does afford the time and breed of student who can work well with something of that variety. I go over logical fallacies when teaching persuasive writing, but I still think that's a much better method than trying to reserve a critical thinking class, and I don't run around bragging that I'm teaching kids to think based on the inclusion of those elements.
I remembered taking a "Semantics" class in high school. It really opened my mind, and did cause me to more critically think about what others told me, media told me and society in general did. But, then that seed was put into me long before by my family...
Sadly critical thinking is one of those things that cannot be taught, it can only be developed through a life that one has the chance to even come to the terms of doubt. I actually think some people, like me, have it naturally, since I was brought up in the every day Christian home, yet I was always thinking why this and why that, not everyone is like that, not everyone asks why.
If I had to define the basis of 'Critical Thinking', I'd say it all starts by asking yourself: "Could I be wrong and how can I find out?". Discussions regarding ethics and morality are great for this purpose because it's so easy to form a poor opinion very quickly, an opinion one is usually happy to reject after some thought. You basically want people (students) to learn that it's ok to change your mind for good reasons.
Teaching critical thinking isn't that tough. Give the students problems, and let them bang their heads against the wall for awhile. Have each come up with possible solutions. Present the solutions to the entire class, and let them hash out which ones have merit and why.
Every once in a while, tell the class something absurd. Give extra points to the first one to call 'bullshit'...
@bushputz - I LOVE THIS IDEA!!! Its ideas like this that take the dust out of teaching techniques and keep kids interested. Especially when they can work in groups with other kids. This technique would also teach kids debate skills, learning that other ideas exist, how to get a thicker skin, public speaking, debunking false information, etc...lots of learning possibilites there. Cheers. :D
@bushputz That's not an oversimplification of teaching at all. Just give them "problems" that will frustrate them until they figure it out etc.
Group work involving collaborative efforts from problem solving in means that are relevant to the subject already assigned to my curriculum is something I facilitate regularly in my classroom, but I don't run around saying, "Yeah, I teach critical thinking!" Though I'm 1/2 way with you on this, teaching anything isn't as simple as you make it sound here.
"Thinking about thinking..." LOL I loved your chef analogy in this one. In a few weeks, I'll begin a class called Instructional Design for Critical Thinking. It should prove to be interesting.
@insanemoviecritic I remember the same frustration when I was in high school and there was a big "critical thinking" push for our teachers who tried forcing that concept into their lesson plans and really did work well being done that way. They would get very frustrated when I asked to explain what it really had to do with the subject matter and how their assignments qualified as making me "think critically."
Another problem with atheist is the contradiction that they claim atheism is a "lack of belief" and at the same time they assume they have something remotely in common with a person who doesn't even share a common belief they have.
You look at all civil rights groups and they desire to make what marginalizes their group a non-issue but when you look at groups of atheist they all want to do away with all religion and marginalize the religious.
@xXChrisHATEXx5 That's because atheism isn't a belief. It's a statement that you don't believe something. It has to be described as a "lack of belief" to the theists who can't comprehend that the burden of proof is on the one who actually believes something. Not all atheists want to "do away with religion." I for one consider it harmful and less fulfilling to live a life of delusion, but if people want to do so it's their business. As long as they don't attack me for it, I'm fine.
@GrapplingIgnorance "atheism isn't a belief. It's a statement that you don't believe"
I think that's slightly too facile. There have been philosophers that did positively assert there is no god. They are called atheists, too.
A better word for those who simply lack a belief in gods might be apistevists, from the Greek for not believing, rather than atheists, though the usage isn't common.
"Critical thinking" is just a talking point that has no inherent meaning spouted by ignorant secular-humanist who really just want their views on life taught in school since they consider their ideas to be the antithesis of what they consider the social norm and therefore requires critical thought to be brought to.
The same idiots who spout that non-sense are no better than the ignorant people on the right who say they would improve America by increasing the amount of freedom and liberty.
I agree GI, critical thinking is a slow process of absorption rather than a few classes of Piano. And critical thinking apparently comes in many variations. I think the start should be done from the family, by nurturing and addressing kid's natural curiosity at their best. Then the school is a busy place, although it offers tools it can not do all the job. Family has to continue offering, along with media and books. And an adult has to continue the process oneself and continue absorbing.
@GrapplingIgnorance What do you think about teaching children the basis of logical order (outside of math) to set them up for the reception of understanding logical argument and falacy (which I would argue is central to 'critical' thinking'). Something like WFF 'n Proofs?
@GrapplingIgnorance In your opinion/experience, when those things are incorporated into those specific areas, are the kids able to take those ideas and use them in other fields or is it more of a baseline for later expansion?
A class where there is a subject every day, and the matters are something learned in previous years. After each day, students would have to evaluate the class based on what they already know, and describe the reason they think it's either bullshit or not. The next class you'd hear if the teacher was talking bullshit all day, or actually teaching you something.
About the closest thing I can think of to teaching critical thinking. Might also spawn creatards when pupils won't accept anything.
I get the feeling that a lot of the viewers who leave comments with "critical thinking is important" and "must teach critical thinking" are leaving the term critical thinking empty and are just repeating what they have heard.
there still sheep, now they are just following something else. A trap of life where one falls in very easy.
when in doubt, employ the Socratic method.
MaherLeary 2 weeks ago
In the UK most colleges offer a 2 year A-level course on 'critical thinking'.Within the course the class is tought how to view different sides of information and present an argument for it accordingly along with many other things.I'm not too sure on what the course truly consist of since I don't plan on taking it myself once i go college however I wouldn't mind giving you some links if you wish to have more information on the matter.
OrganisedChaos96 1 month ago
"thinking about thinking" LMFAO...
SomedaysDreamersBC 1 month ago
Critical thinking: in the process of thinking, stop and actually think using good judgement. Animals don't think twice, we do
WarbladeX1 1 month ago
@WarbladeX1 You’ve just defined critical thinking as “the process of thinking.” That’s not a very strong definition. I suggest you watch TheCarruth’s video response to this video. As “animals not thinking twice,” that’s ridiculous. Firstly, we ARE animals, and you’ve said we think twice. Many species can be observed in lab environments and their natural habitats reasoning their way through circumstances to solve problems.
GrapplingIgnorance 1 month ago
@GrapplingIgnorance a monkey trying to fit a square in a circle is not thinking, its trial and error. snakes do not think twice about bitting, neither does dogs. a human can stop in the process of killing and say, mabe this is a bad idea. thats the difference that we are NOT animals and its called critical thinking.
WarbladeX1 1 month ago
@WarbladeX1 You can deny it all you want, but humans ARE animals. We are filed into taxonomy just like all other living creatures. Here's where we fall specifically: Domain: Eukarya -> Kingdom: Anamilia -> Phylum: Chordata -> Class: Mammalia-> Order: Primates -> Family: Primates -> Genus: Homo -> Species: Homo Sapiens. Snakes bite their prey, but not their young- thinking. Loyal dogs bite intruders but not their owners- thinking. Their brains recognize distinctions & they act based on thoughts.
GrapplingIgnorance 1 month ago
@GrapplingIgnorance explain how a pitbull or others dogs maul kids and owners without even agrivating the animal. this is fact and its been known on camera. lots of animals and insects bite because they don't like the smell of someone. its an impulsive action of defensive rage called instinct. meaning action without thinking. now im not saying humans can't act like animals. people with low I.Qs are proof of that. lol
WarbladeX1 1 month ago
@WarbladeX1 Wow- you just answered your own question. Those instances you described are products of instinct. Humans have natural instincts too. Often times evolutionary instincts in all animals (including humans) take precedence over careful thought. This is true for all people, not just those of low intelligence. It's why noises in the dark scare us, why mothers will die for their children without "thinking" and a myriad of other examples. Just do some research and LEARN: humans ARE animals.
GrapplingIgnorance 1 month ago
@GrapplingIgnorance yes, we all have natural instincts but being able to control or shut it off makes the difference between.. ok lets say man and beast, does that sound gooder or do i have to go deeper into explaining myself. all because we both are warm blooded and have a brain does not make us the same as animals. your talking about kingdoms of classification. thats only for science when they file living creatures into categories.
WarbladeX1 1 month ago
@WarbladeX1 Your facile understanding of biology renders you impotent in this discussion. If you can't even understand that we're animals with a place in earth's echosystem just like all animals, there's no point in the conversation. Our evolutionary path has made us more dependant on our brains than our bodies for survival, but that doesn't mean we're the only animals who can think. Back to your original point, you're broadened the definition of "critical thinking" to being human. Worthless.
GrapplingIgnorance 1 month ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Your inability to understand what critical thinking is, is a flaw in critical thinking.
THIS is critical thinking.
w w w . criticalthinking . org . uk /unit2/
Elephantintheroom01 2 months ago
teaching critical thinking is like "telling a cook to cook deliciousness." That's rich! Thanks! You say that teachers should teach students an openness to being challenged and being wrong, does that then mean that teachers should display (model, to use the jargon) this openness to their students? I do believe that, but I find it's controversial to encourage your students to challenge you-- other teachers are very threatened by this, probably because they are more into control than education
pastafarianprophet 3 months ago
@pastafarianprophet I think it's very important for students to know that I can be wrong, as I'm a human just like they are. If they think I'm wrong about something, I encourage them to research it and correct me, that way I won't be wrong about it anymore, and all of us will get smarter in the process. I don't feel threatened by the possibility of getting smarter, and I don't want my students to be threatened by it either. Modeling for things like that is essential.
GrapplingIgnorance 3 months ago
I am pretty sure, that critical thinking has to be stimulated before kids get into school.
Older students seem to either have the ability to think critically or they don't, (at least those who I've met) so I think parents should take the responsibility of making sure their kids grow up to have basic critical thinking skills.
ArsonistInUrFirewall 5 months ago
if you want to impress a chick do the helicopter deek
MmaNcovers 5 months ago
GI, CriticalThinkingOrg has a channel here on YT. They've posted a five-part video series designed for children that illuminates the principles involved in a comparatively simple and straightforward manner. Some time ago I'd watched these vids with my kids, and we followed up with some thought experiments and discussions of real-world experience. They found the process invigorating. It's indeed unfortunate that so many are oblivious to these unassailable concepts; hopefully we can change that.
DorakoftheHillPeople 5 months ago
Perhaps the best way to teach it , is by exercise.
Pretty much teaching the scientific method outside the science class. As it tends to work for all subjects bar theology and the arts.
stewie1974 6 months ago
I tawt it was about applying da scientific method to all aspect of tawt, not dat I condone dat sort of ting...
creationistcat 6 months ago in playlist More videos from GrapplingIgnorance
@grapplingignorance Dude your awesome. I've been thinking of making similar videos but you are way more organized than I. Keep it up.
OMGWTFITZATREX 6 months ago
the crazy thing is that my college teaches critical thinking. Basically what it is is debating in essay form, so it's not really critical thinking at all
AntiMatterWave 6 months ago
I, for one, am almost absolutely convinced that critical thinking ability is dependent on upbringing and intelligence. Mostly the former, but intelligence is important as well.
ToyMachine22122 6 months ago
8) ...like religion or politics. Maybe then their critical thinking will emerge to the surface and finally save us from our doom.
Anyway, I hope you don't mind the huge text and that you understood my points. Keep making nice videos.
Now I'm of to eat some babies.. :P joking, I'm not an atheist, I'm agnostic we only eat young female virgins.
Bye.
fablan6 6 months ago
7) ...but most people don't! Because they do what the book told them which is of course "this book is good and it says the truth so believe everything in it." So you can put anything you want in it and they will believe it. They can be rocket scientists and still believe a book that says the earth is 10.000 years old. I hope we find the right way to teach critical thinking, or maybe the only way to teach it is to let the kids "learn" it by their own by not filling their heads with stupid lies...
fablan6 6 months ago
6) ...and help us evolve further without the fear of killing each other over some retarded reason. For me critical thinking is the ability to put together pieces of information and make out an outcome without having to rely on what others told you. Like for example the subject you (and I as a matter of fact) talk about most. Religion. "This book says stoning to death is good" + "this book was inspired from an all loving deity" = ?
Well someone with critical think would say = "bullshit".....
fablan6 6 months ago
5) ...in my opinion would be like trying to teach a very good painter how to play the piano and even worse. You might be a great programmer but suck at cooking, you might be a great violin player but can't even write your name etcetera. It's out of their reach. But memory and math are easier to test evaluate so people believe that they are the ones that have to do with intelligence mostly. But critical thinking in my opinion is the most important, the one that will take us out of our misery.....
fablan6 6 months ago
4) ...passes by mercury (I don't remember which planets they where exactly but anyway) and they affect your mood negatively since you are a cancer thus we might fight so let's wait for 20 minutes till they go apart." And I am sure you and lots of other people have similar examples. These people are lawyers and doctors yet their critical thinking sucks ass! They just had a bit of a good memory, they studied a lot, passed some tests and became what they became. Teaching them critical thinking.....
fablan6 6 months ago
3) ...memory in the future I guess. Critical thinking on the other hand is different. Not everyone has it. I met a lawyer who is over 30 years old and speaks 7 languages that believes in unbelievable crap like that the number 6 is evil (!?) cause it comes from 666 which is satan's number... A friend of mine met a surgeon who speaks 6 languages and believes in signs in the extend that once she told him "let's not talk right now cause jupiter (or whatever. I don't remember)...
fablan6 6 months ago
2) ...without looking at the page of course. There was a kid that flew with a helicopter over a city and then drew by memory everything, all the buildings, streets etcetera, even windows in each building was exactly the right number. Most of these people though are autistic but as a friend of mine said these are attempts of nature to evolve our brains further and those first attempts are flawed. As if nature is experimenting. Probably we will all have such mathematical abilities and...
fablan6 6 months ago
1) Critical thinking. I don't think you can teach that, at least easy. In my opinion there are many types of intelligence, mathematics, arts, linguistics, etcetera. The most important for me though is critical thinking. There are people who can multiply numbers with 10 digits each and come up with the outcome in seconds. Or people that have amazing memory, read a book and then you can ask them what was the fourth word in the second paragraph of page 86 and they will tell you exactly the word....
fablan6 6 months ago
Excellent vid. As an ex-teacher I am very pleased you looked at the difficulties faced by educators which is very often glossed over. Heck if I could resub to increase your stats, I would do so!
Morahg 6 months ago 5
@Morahg Haha, well thank you. It's great to have fellow educators watching/listening.
GrapplingIgnorance 6 months ago 2
While I agree with you to some degree, I do in fact teach courses on critical thinking. While a great deal can be taught directly about the subject, it's true that knowing what critical thinking is does not make you a critical thinker.
kilroy1964 6 months ago
I all ways thought it was the ability to "critically think" about specific life choices, meaning it would be the ability to make the right choices instead of bad ones. That's my own interpretation of it. I guess the problem with "Critical thinking" would be the meaning, but there are a lot of other words that suffer the same effect of having many multiple meanings. I all ways thought that was obvious though.
modtyrant 6 months ago
Critical thinking-identifying assumptions, causal links between a set of premisses and its conclusion,comparing and contrasting evidence and arguments,assessing the reliability of evidence and arguments,constructing an argument. Think thats about.....it?
philosageify 6 months ago
We should start simpler - just teach thinking. Being spoon fed facts and then requiring them to regurgitate them at a later date doesn't teach anyone anything, and yet this is what most of school is.
tml4873 6 months ago
Teach hive mindedness :3
OppositionDept 6 months ago
o.O
O.o
Ur room is shopped
:/
yeah shadows don't match, obviously shopped
OppositionDept 6 months ago
The best way to teach it is to make them use it. Put them through mind games in which you lie to them. Make it a game. Make sure you make them aware that you will only act this way in games like that and stick to it. If they correctly spot the lie and show that they figured it out the proper way, there should be a reward. A little game I play while watching the news is "guess the angle". I plan to play it with my kids. I hate political double speak.
Pitviper1979 6 months ago
I feel like it's an important thing to do (to think, to analyze); but the best way I know how to do it, is to have a topic presented, and then be told "now ask yourself why. Come up with answers, then ask yourself why, for each of those answers."
I've always asked people, "how", as in "how /would/ we teach critical thinking?" You seem to have a good grasp, of how tricky it really is.
I still feel it's an important skill though, so I'll probably keep asking: "How?"(& the answers are interesting)
PurpleGhost 6 months ago
Damn you. You just blew one of my favorite icons out of the water. Now I must think ( with my f%#ked up brain ) of a new easy 'solution' that fits into a sound bite that will 'save the world'. You bastard.
CATMAHAT 6 months ago 4
@CATMAHAT Hah, sorry?
GrapplingIgnorance 6 months ago
@GrapplingIgnorance No you're not. :)
CATMAHAT 6 months ago
teach the socratic method.
PrecambrianLullaby 6 months ago
Good video. You raise some good points. Often the term critical thinking is applied to ideas that are so tenuous as to be almost baseless. For instance the whole canon of reflective practice that whilst having some rational as a way of taking notice of extra conscious aspects of what it means to be human is in fact premised on incredibly shaky foundations and is characterised by a flood of semi mystical literature. Schon was interesting but not rigorous in my opinion.
strangetranceoffaith 6 months ago
Show your face, atheist coward.
BornWhiteSupremacy1 6 months ago
@BornWhiteSupremacy1 Show your face, supreme coward!
justicetrooper 6 months ago
i wish i had more teachers like you in school, when i was in too bad we cant: theres always some jackassy religious politically correct parent having to ruin it for everyone
imbored2 6 months ago
wow you sound so similar to DENDROPHILIAN, are you Dendro?? cheers either way
upublic 6 months ago
@upublic I have no idea who that is.
GrapplingIgnorance 6 months ago
Critical thinking? Trying to disprove one's own arguments before putting them out? I could be wrong but that is how I define it. Critical thinking could be critical of thinking itself.
HybridD91 6 months ago
@HybridD91 As you can see from this comment thread, everyone has their own definition of it, or preference for someone else's idea of it, or way they would teach it etc. Most of which are very nice definitions and idea, but still inconsistent.
GrapplingIgnorance 6 months ago
It is very possible to teach the foundations of critical thinking. Teaching the elements and basics of logic and philosophy, and what constitutes things like science and evidence and facts and arguments is definitely teachable. This groundwork is what I mean by teaching critical reasoning.
kville105125 6 months ago
I took a critical thinking class in high school, in retrospect I don't think my teacher knew what critical thinking was.
Bo1618 6 months ago
Critical thinking, the scientific method, and black box troubleshooting are essentially similar: the opposite of credulity. See AntiCitizenX's "The Black Box of Empirical Falsification" I would teach it by making a game like "what is in the box?" The rules would be guess what is in the box with out opening the box. Let them shake it, weight it, crush it, etc, as long as they don't open it. The method that most accurately describes what is in the box wins a "Noodle Prize."
RakaTheTenacious 6 months ago
Critical thinking in my opinion is about challenging your beliefs and preconceptions. I understand that we could all have different valid points on critical thinking but... Right now there is such a lack of critical thought that quite honestly, I would be happy with any start on critical thinking skills. How about it?
tsunami770 6 months ago
@tsunami770 "any" start implies that it's not done at all. Quality teachers of any discipline are able to inject skepticism and deeper levels of thought into their existing curricula.
GrapplingIgnorance 6 months ago
@GrapplingIgnorance I was more concerned with the lack of it but something should have told me that was coming lol. Some say the cup is half full... Others say it is half empty... You are like "where the hell did this cup come from?" :) Thanks bud I appreciate and always enjoy your perspective.
tsunami770 6 months ago
The best thing is to teach logic and lots of writing skills. Also, let kids debate all kinds of subjects to expand 'critical thinking'. That would possibly be the best solutions to get people educated.
Also, check out Technocracy Technate Design. It's a science based social design. It's humanitarian by default. Since many of you consider yourselves secular humanists I think you'll appreciate something like this. M. King Hubbert is probably the most notable technocrat. Thanks.
newb2yutube 6 months ago
What is really needed is the insight that a 19th century prussian system designed to produce soliders , factory workers, and farm hand can't hope to cope with today's reality.
scrappydew42 6 months ago
You make a really good point, I totally agree that it needs to start with the parents, or whoever is raising the kids. I think critical thinking itself can be encouraged in classrooms, giving students open ended writing prompts and asking them to give their thoughts/opinions on different things, having class debates, having students try to debate their own ideas from the viewpoint of another side, encouraging kids to expand on their ideas and opinions, to research when they don't know something.
LotusPhoenix93 6 months ago
Our college actually has a class called "Humanities: Critical Thinking". So yes, we actually have a class devoted to critical thinking. I took evolution in its place though.
TheYipedo 6 months ago
Teaching someone how to think is brain washing. That person would be acting as if they were thinking for themselves but, would just be following direction. It would be likely for them to fail, at some point.
I read the title and thought to myself, "How the hell do you teach critical thinking!?" I was fooled. Good video.
legendsofatheria 6 months ago
@legendsofatheria Uh, by that logic, teaching kids ANYTHING is brainwashing. How are THEY supposed to know that 1 + 1 = 2? The only reason kids think that is because they've been BRAINWASHED.
Have you NEVER heard of an ethics class in college? It is not brainwashing.
TheExtremistModerate 6 months ago
Logic, philosophy, argument forms, fallacies, etc. Have you ever told a lie? What do you call someone who lies? So, by your own definition you are a liar. Children need to be taught how to recognize bad arguments and what information is necessary in order to order to make decisions. I would start with logic.
wwickeddogg 6 months ago
In england, critical thinking is already a subject.
wormsto 6 months ago
@wormsto It's a course in college in America, too. But grappling has a point. You can't teach critical thinking. The best you can do is present opportunities to think critically and try to explain what they're doing right and wrong.
Antifides 6 months ago
My definition of critical thinking is to take the information you've been given, and question it. Just because it comes from an authority doesn't mean the authority is right. Look into it, check the data, reach the manuscripts, whatever. Even the bible says test everything and keep what is good.
Dudeatheist 6 months ago
How about this? Taken from Camp Quest.
"One tradition along these lines involves making the claim that two invisible unicorns inhabit Camp Quest. Campers are told that these beings cannot be seen, heard, touched, smelled, tasted, and that they cannot do harm, do not eat, and leave no mark. An ancient book handed down for untold generations offers proof that the unicorns exist, though no one is allowed to see this book."
TheExtremistModerate 6 months ago
@TheExtremistModerate that sounds like christianity, only everyone gets the book
deathman1021 6 months ago
@deathman1021 Exactly. Oh, I just realized I accidentally cut out what the kids do. They are told that they are to disprove it. Anyone who can disprove it gets $100(As of yet, no one was won the reward).
You can also teach the basics of argumentation: logical fallacies, evidence, etc.
TheExtremistModerate 6 months ago
When I say teaching critical thinking. What I mean by that is giving people the tools to analyze claims, ideas, and other information on the merits of logic and evidence.
These include learning fallacies, and determining whether there is enough evidence evidence to support a claim. This can also include learning how to apply logic to determine if a claim without evidence is a likely or even possible scenario.
Critical thinking can be learned, because everything we do is learned.
IHighLikePlane 6 months ago 8
@IHighLikePlane: true, and it's also the way to interpret the ideas and situations that are currently revolving through the human race. That comes to mind of people like us who has main intentions to relate to any causes and so forth on case studies that are and/or were based on experiences from intellectual standards of another person.
Ringvireot 4 months ago
I consider critical thinking just an act of viewing any issue from multiple points of view, recognizing and acknowledging credible evidence, and finding a reasonable and logical conclusion. This ability is not exactly born within our nature and can be learned and perfected with practice. Teachers can use their subject of choice to teach this ability.
Zlibservacratican 6 months ago
My physics professor had a saying that fits this notion: “Having an open mind is very admiral but an open mind without the filter of skepticism is only a mind that everyone dumps their trash into.” I think “critical thinking” requires one to be a profound skeptic; when you’re accused of being too skeptical then you’ve achieved “critical thinking”. ;-)
MsWanderer1 6 months ago
critical thinking: solving problems that have multiple avenues of coming to solutions (with varying degrees of success). allowing a person to solve a problem and come up with their own solution, then showing them another, possibly more effective, solution and allowing them to process and take away the idea that, "there is more than one way to skin a cat" as it is said. rinse and repeat.
killswell 6 months ago
teaching about logical fallacies and cognitive biases will at least provide a base. As you said, however, when kids become good at argumentation the adults loose their authoritarian power. "Because I said so" is not reasonable grounds to believe a proposition is true. "Trust that I have your best interests in mind, we'll talk about it when there's time" is as good of a compromise as can be had... even if it is not free from fallacy.
cyphonyx 6 months ago
Here are three analytical techniques I regularly use in consulting: Systems Thinking, Theory of Constraints Thinking and Structured Brainstorming (i.e. using mindmapping). In general, for problem solving, it is most helpful to develop inductive versus deductive reasoning and presentation. Why? In the classic syllogism or chained syllogisms, if the audience disagrees with any premise, the reasoning can be easily dismissed even if the underlying conclusion remains sound. My two cents.
0gods 6 months ago
wow, everyone of your videos is like opening a window and letting fresh air in. thanks for posting these and hopefully we can change the world, one youtube view at a time.
caddy38 6 months ago
Seriously wish you were one of my daughters teachers.
TheUntamedrose 6 months ago
I respect faith, but doubt is what gets you an education. --- Wilson Mizner
ThePeaceableKingdom 6 months ago
I didn't learn critical thinking until my freshman year in college. I think Fallacies should be taught in grade school.
sergeantrex 6 months ago
omg it's darth sidious jk. good video
MrBlackatheist 6 months ago
Good critical thinking.
scicoe 6 months ago
@GrapplingIgnorance NO NO NO NO, pls don't use "air-quotes", it's sooooooo wrong. Most of us will understand the inflection in your tone. Don't pander to the inept with air-quotes, please. :OP
BTW your not having a face in this video is a little bit scarey. MWAHHAhaaha.
fishypaw 6 months ago
I don't think that when people say, "Teach critical thinking" that they mean to have an actual class devoted to it. I think they mean that teachers should emphasize it more when teaching all classes. I know that when I was growing up, I felt frustrated at the lack of encouragement (even discouragement) from teachers when I or a fellow student would question something that was being taught.
panurge987 6 months ago 17
@panurge987 I'm on board with that concept, but it's still an oversimplification of what a teacher does. It would be like telling a teacher "teach kids to be smart, because being smart is good!"
GrapplingIgnorance 6 months ago 17
@GrapplingIgnorance I do see your point as well, Mr. Grappling. ;-)
panurge987 6 months ago
@GrapplingIgnorance
Sure critical thinking should be emphasized in all classes, but it's not like there isn't enough material to have a critical thinking course. I've taken a critical thinking course and it's probably the reason I'm an atheist today. It's not really an oversimplification, you can teach the basic principles of critical thinking. It's not going to be a magic bullet, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't try. I don't really understand your argument against critical thinking classes.
TheVofR 6 months ago
@TheVofR Because the term is ubiquitous and malleable to whatever district decides to implement it and whomever instructs it. You've given a personal account of when it worked well for. Many people in this same comment thread have mentioned taking such classes that completely missed the mark. If you're still having trouble understanding my frustration on the issue, watch Ben Carruth's video response to this video.
GrapplingIgnorance 6 months ago
@GrapplingIgnorance
Watched his response and I disagree on just about everything he said.
It's just that as someone who has seen it done right I feel that we should at least strive to teach it well, even if sometimes it fails. I'm not quite sure of your position. Are you just saying that it wouldn't be as easy as everyone thinks, or are you saying we shouldn't even try it?
I'm going to hunt down my old textbook for the class, so that you can find it if you want.
TheVofR 6 months ago
@TheVofR As I've said, the concepts associated with "critical thinking" should be incorporated into existing classes at the high school level. The concept should be encouraged and nurtured across the board- as should the teaching of the objective rules of logic. However, full classes on "critical thinking" "philosophy" and "psychology" as studies in and of themselves are best reserved for the college level at this point. That doesn't mean elements from those disciplines can't still be covered.
GrapplingIgnorance 6 months ago
@GrapplingIgnorance
Actually, I always thought that teaching critical thinking would involve teaching logical fallacies, flaws of the mind which are well understood in psychology, failures of memory and perception which are also well understood and backed up by tonnes of experiments, many phenomena from social psychology(confirmation bias, cognitive dissonance, Dunning-Kruger effect), etc.etc.
This is all very specific stuff and solid basis for teaching critical thinking.
FluidDeconstructor 6 months ago
@FluidDeconstructor Logical fallacies can/are/should be thought by any teacher of writing already. High school isn't the place for psychology classes, unless we're going to reform the education system to start giving prospective psychologists classes relative to their career aspirations (which I'm in favor of) High schools are already trying to keep their heads above water teaching their current curricula, which can be adapted to incorporate some things you mention here in a practical way.
GrapplingIgnorance 6 months ago
@GrapplingIgnorance Also, that "what?" shit tries to make what I say subjective, what modernity says is based on fact, what you postmoderns say is subjective.
jonnblevins 6 months ago
@jonnblevins A. I didn't ask you "what?" because I was incapable of reading your comment. Of course, for me to be illiterate would mean that I couldn't write either, and since I've demonstrating writing capability, that's a foolish insult to bother with. Of course, if you were going to insult someone just because they didn't understand you own incoherent ramblings, that would probably make you a douche bag. I also don't know why you keep commenting on my videos calling me a "post modernist."
GrapplingIgnorance 6 months ago
@panurge987 so true
099923257457 6 months ago
@panurge987 Our whole society in the states highly discourages questioning authority. Our leaders know that if we really asked ourselves if these people should be our leaders, the answer would be no. Face it, we are trained to be good little chattle. That is not a miss-spelling. I do not mean cattle. Just ask anyone who has a boos that is less qualified than they are. The boss is normally an asshole, because they know they don't deserve the authority they have.
Pitviper1979 6 months ago
@Pitviper1979 I mean boss in the second to last sentence.
Pitviper1979 6 months ago
@Pitviper1979 The internet is full of "free thinkers" who scorn the government that rules over us, and apparently has intentionally kept us stupid, unquestioning, and subservient. So what have we allegedly blooming enlightened ones who are apparently so aware of this that we have the capacity to question it done about? Don't get me wrong- I'm all for a good rallying rant, but have we spoken with our votes or revolted in any way? I haven't seen us do anything more than the "chattle."
GrapplingIgnorance 6 months ago
@panurge987 In the UK you can actually take Critical Thinking as a subject with an exam. I can't help thinking that is probably more use than many other subjects.
Also you can't expect teachers in general to emphasize critical thinking because apart from the science teachers, most are as clueless about it as the pupils.
chrisofnottingham 6 months ago
A while back I read something about a teacher that offered his/her students a 20 dollar bill if they could demonstrate that the teacher got something wrong throughout the school year either while teaching or in general conversation. If I remember right, the teacher did have to pay out to a couple students but this concept got the kids into analyzing and scrutinizing not just what the teacher told them but what other authority figures told them as well.
stiimuli 6 months ago
USF critical thinking course description: "Methods of thinking that lead to reliable conclusions, with emphasis on concrete cases in ordinary thinking and the sciences." I think it is basically informal logic.
SgtDICTION 6 months ago
reminds me of the linux advert for some bizarre reason watch?v=0USp7nSzTPY , i guess someone who thinks critically would take in all evidence without outright ignoring the evivence because they feel uncomfortable with outcome conculsion that said evidence would lead them to , and yeah it such a grey area
jmm1233 6 months ago
Damn, I thought there was just something wrong with your camera all this time.
squirreljester2 6 months ago
However unwilling or unready parents might be to teach (or allow) critical thinking in their children, it's hard to imagine how a basic school course in critical thinking skills could do any harm, assuming a competent teacher. How about simply introducing the different types of fallacies? Learning to recognize invalid arguments? Sound versus unsound? An introduction to symbolic logic would reinforce these skills and form backbone for math as well. The "flavor" can be cooked, I think. :)
TheViciousSquare 6 months ago 2
@TheViciousSquare Those things get injected already into any "competent teacher's" class of persuasive writing. That still doesn't mean that you're teaching kids how to think critically, and if the parents aren't behind and enforcing what you're teaching, then you're spinning your wheels in the process.
GrapplingIgnorance 6 months ago
You should watch Qualia Soup's video on critical thinking for a good idea of what most people are referring to.
Lpoolboy 6 months ago
@Lpoolboy I know what most people are referring to. Did you watch this video?
GrapplingIgnorance 6 months ago
@GrapplingIgnorance Your video? Ofcourse I did. You were displaying definitions of Critical thinking and making it seem like a nebulous concept which is difficult to teach. I was just trying to point you in the direction that I believe the vast majority of youtube atheists lean torwards when they say 'critical thinking'. If you haven't seen Qualia Soup's work you should definitely check them out. They're nothing short of brilliant. I enjoyed your video very much as usual, keep up the good work.
Lpoolboy 6 months ago
Thank you for the compliments, I am sure that is not why people continue to watch your vids. Don't forget, now that you know evolution is a "fact" you are all smart and educated in other ways. Thank you middle school education.
jonnblevins 6 months ago
@jonnblevins What?
GrapplingIgnorance 6 months ago
@GrapplingIgnorance An illiterate English teacher? Must be the new postmodern fad
jonnblevins 6 months ago
I think a safe way to define critical thinking is as the techniques that allow us to bring our beliefs in harmony with reality.
Examples include teaching logical fallacies, so that we may avoid them. Teaching how easy it is to fall into confirmation bias. In general, critical thinking is not so much a 'positive' thing, as much as it is teaching people how not to fall in the common intellectual traps.
At least, that's this one persons subjective opinion :P
Sines314 6 months ago
@Sines314 Exactly- it is a subjective opinion, and logical fallacies should be covered in writing classes when going over persuasive writing. It's easy to sit back and say that's a good thing unless you're in a small bible belt town and have to deal with the parents of 10 kids who start questioning the logical fallacies of their parents arguments or their religion.
GrapplingIgnorance 6 months ago
Thanks for this. I've always hated that vapid phrase. It completely misses the point that logical thinking is not all that is needed. Take William Lane Craig for example. His logic is near perfect. he's a good philosopher and great at rhetoric. BUT HIS PREMISES are wrong! Teaching him critical thinking didn't help anything because no one taught him the correct FACTS.
qtzlctl2012 6 months ago
There are already classes for critical thinking. Philosophy, and debate. Philosophy (101) covers absolute truths. Which is frustrating and enlightening (to me it was). Debate requires you to pass the 'shit test'. A lot of people argue subjectively and don't realize it. Debate classes and competitions address that. But I agree, anything more is too broad, and thus dangerously open to abuse by an agenda.
Brajabu74 6 months ago
How about simple 3 words - "How do you know?" would be a critical way of thinking, right?
ImAnotherZang 6 months ago
@ImAnotherZang How many words?
GrapplingIgnorance 6 months ago
@GrapplingIgnorance aaaah dammit =.=
ImAnotherZang 6 months ago
Also, GI, your particular role as an educator is more about effectively understanding and communicating ideas. It should be the science, math, and, dare I say, social studies/history teachers that cover critical thinking as a learned skill.
Celephais42 6 months ago
@Celephais42 I think we can all incorporate elements of it into our existing curricula. I cover many logical fallacies of argumentation when I work on persuasive writing, but it boils my blood when people who champion themselves as "free thinkers" run around demanding "logic class" or "critical thinking" class in school. Maybe we should just have a class that teaches them to be smart, huh? That would simplify the whole matter!
GrapplingIgnorance 6 months ago
I bet you don't even have a face GI I think you're just a brain and hands in a hoodie
terretsforever 6 months ago
It also may take more time than the department chair will allow. The school system has become very Taylorist in that everything needs to be done, all boxes need to be checked. If no one learns anything in the allotted time then too bad. "Coverage" is killing learning. As a student teacher, I watched teachers fly through activities instead of allowing extra time for the students to process ideas because they needed to stay on schedule. The schools are too mechanical in their approach to learning.
JASinJordan 6 months ago
@JASinJordan Bingo.
GrapplingIgnorance 6 months ago
Good points. I think it is important for people to learn to think for themselves but teaching this is easier said than done. I do think parents play a large role but a person can learn regardless of their parents, it just takes longer. I was raised to never question the bible but it was when I really starting getting into science that I did start to question (and for some reason stopped believing) so it's possible but not easy so many don't want to think for themselves and that's a shame.
vnorthru 6 months ago
It's not wrong to be wrong... But It's wrong to be right, but not making shure it is.
chrstilen5 6 months ago
Very well put.
Philosification 6 months ago
I definitely agree that it starts with parenting especially teaching your children that yes sometimes mum(s) and or dad(s) can be wrong from time to time as well as teachers and scientist. Another thing would be teaching about logical fallacies and how to recognise them.
YesIamJames 6 months ago
a viciously strict application of the socratic method can be very effective. I use this in moderation with my childeren to get them to understand logical fallacies on their own. How do you know that? How certain are you that that is a valid source? Is there an alternate opinion or theory? How deeply have you researched them both? I want them to know that uncertainty is not always a bad thing, and that the methods are more important than the data.
AdUtrumquePeratus76 6 months ago
I took a critical thinking class in college. It was very helpful to understanding the logical fallacies.
Zaunstar 6 months ago
@Zaunstar College does afford the time and breed of student who can work well with something of that variety. I go over logical fallacies when teaching persuasive writing, but I still think that's a much better method than trying to reserve a critical thinking class, and I don't run around bragging that I'm teaching kids to think based on the inclusion of those elements.
GrapplingIgnorance 6 months ago
I remembered taking a "Semantics" class in high school. It really opened my mind, and did cause me to more critically think about what others told me, media told me and society in general did. But, then that seed was put into me long before by my family...
skeletonmom 6 months ago
I think it is funny that there is a critical thinking class offered as a philosophy class in university.
Now that is a class a reasonably intelligent person can bullshit their way through.
Silentsam7532 6 months ago
Sadly critical thinking is one of those things that cannot be taught, it can only be developed through a life that one has the chance to even come to the terms of doubt. I actually think some people, like me, have it naturally, since I was brought up in the every day Christian home, yet I was always thinking why this and why that, not everyone is like that, not everyone asks why.
ateopuertorico 6 months ago
All I gotta say on this is: why is logic a high school elective class, not middle school required learning?
Celephais42 6 months ago
If I had to define the basis of 'Critical Thinking', I'd say it all starts by asking yourself: "Could I be wrong and how can I find out?". Discussions regarding ethics and morality are great for this purpose because it's so easy to form a poor opinion very quickly, an opinion one is usually happy to reject after some thought. You basically want people (students) to learn that it's ok to change your mind for good reasons.
DavidMTRutten 6 months ago
Screw all that.
Teaching critical thinking isn't that tough. Give the students problems, and let them bang their heads against the wall for awhile. Have each come up with possible solutions. Present the solutions to the entire class, and let them hash out which ones have merit and why.
Every once in a while, tell the class something absurd. Give extra points to the first one to call 'bullshit'...
bushputz 6 months ago
@bushputz - I LOVE THIS IDEA!!! Its ideas like this that take the dust out of teaching techniques and keep kids interested. Especially when they can work in groups with other kids. This technique would also teach kids debate skills, learning that other ideas exist, how to get a thicker skin, public speaking, debunking false information, etc...lots of learning possibilites there. Cheers. :D
skeletonmom 6 months ago
@bushputz That's not an oversimplification of teaching at all. Just give them "problems" that will frustrate them until they figure it out etc.
Group work involving collaborative efforts from problem solving in means that are relevant to the subject already assigned to my curriculum is something I facilitate regularly in my classroom, but I don't run around saying, "Yeah, I teach critical thinking!" Though I'm 1/2 way with you on this, teaching anything isn't as simple as you make it sound here.
GrapplingIgnorance 6 months ago
"Thinking about thinking..." LOL I loved your chef analogy in this one. In a few weeks, I'll begin a class called Instructional Design for Critical Thinking. It should prove to be interesting.
MyGrammarRules 6 months ago
This is my favorite video you have done because in school the teachers always talk about critical thinking without defining it.
insanemoviecritic 6 months ago
@insanemoviecritic I remember the same frustration when I was in high school and there was a big "critical thinking" push for our teachers who tried forcing that concept into their lesson plans and really did work well being done that way. They would get very frustrated when I asked to explain what it really had to do with the subject matter and how their assignments qualified as making me "think critically."
GrapplingIgnorance 6 months ago
woah you look weird without an effect
KingTekins 6 months ago
a free thinker to me believes in what ever he wants
bellyzbad 6 months ago
I think the main part of critical thinking is just simply thinking. So many people don't even do that, they just accept what they're told
People need to actually think about what they're being told, to think and decide for themselves
Scarletpooky 6 months ago
When I think "critical thinking" I think "being able to check references and see if someone is talking shit or not".
jamesgaspard 6 months ago
Oddly enough, we had a critical thinking class in our school.
Mostly it had to do with going over all the standard fallacies however. That was the most objective thing anyway.
Oh and we read Lewis. The teacher was a christian. :p
Hyardacil 6 months ago
Another problem with atheist is the contradiction that they claim atheism is a "lack of belief" and at the same time they assume they have something remotely in common with a person who doesn't even share a common belief they have.
You look at all civil rights groups and they desire to make what marginalizes their group a non-issue but when you look at groups of atheist they all want to do away with all religion and marginalize the religious.
I get so sick of mental lightweights on youtube
xXChrisHATEXx5 6 months ago
@xXChrisHATEXx5 That's because atheism isn't a belief. It's a statement that you don't believe something. It has to be described as a "lack of belief" to the theists who can't comprehend that the burden of proof is on the one who actually believes something. Not all atheists want to "do away with religion." I for one consider it harmful and less fulfilling to live a life of delusion, but if people want to do so it's their business. As long as they don't attack me for it, I'm fine.
GrapplingIgnorance 6 months ago
@GrapplingIgnorance "atheism isn't a belief. It's a statement that you don't believe"
I think that's slightly too facile. There have been philosophers that did positively assert there is no god. They are called atheists, too.
A better word for those who simply lack a belief in gods might be apistevists, from the Greek for not believing, rather than atheists, though the usage isn't common.
ThePeaceableKingdom 6 months ago
"Critical thinking" is just a talking point that has no inherent meaning spouted by ignorant secular-humanist who really just want their views on life taught in school since they consider their ideas to be the antithesis of what they consider the social norm and therefore requires critical thought to be brought to.
The same idiots who spout that non-sense are no better than the ignorant people on the right who say they would improve America by increasing the amount of freedom and liberty.
xXChrisHATEXx5 6 months ago
I agree GI, critical thinking is a slow process of absorption rather than a few classes of Piano. And critical thinking apparently comes in many variations. I think the start should be done from the family, by nurturing and addressing kid's natural curiosity at their best. Then the school is a busy place, although it offers tools it can not do all the job. Family has to continue offering, along with media and books. And an adult has to continue the process oneself and continue absorbing.
ONESPECIES 6 months ago
@GrapplingIgnorance What do you think about teaching children the basis of logical order (outside of math) to set them up for the reception of understanding logical argument and falacy (which I would argue is central to 'critical' thinking'). Something like WFF 'n Proofs?
savageecho 6 months ago
@savageecho Those things can/are/should be incorporated into classes of mathematics and persuasive writing.
GrapplingIgnorance 6 months ago
@GrapplingIgnorance In your opinion/experience, when those things are incorporated into those specific areas, are the kids able to take those ideas and use them in other fields or is it more of a baseline for later expansion?
savageecho 6 months ago
Finally! ha. Excellent video.
meridianfrost 6 months ago
@meridianfrost Thank you, sir.
GrapplingIgnorance 6 months ago
A class where there is a subject every day, and the matters are something learned in previous years. After each day, students would have to evaluate the class based on what they already know, and describe the reason they think it's either bullshit or not. The next class you'd hear if the teacher was talking bullshit all day, or actually teaching you something.
About the closest thing I can think of to teaching critical thinking. Might also spawn creatards when pupils won't accept anything.
Daealis 6 months ago
i like how you edited your face in the video (:
NeverlandAud 6 months ago
I get the feeling that a lot of the viewers who leave comments with "critical thinking is important" and "must teach critical thinking" are leaving the term critical thinking empty and are just repeating what they have heard.
there still sheep, now they are just following something else. A trap of life where one falls in very easy.
jakiedark 6 months ago
great comparison with the chef and flavor thing
chestbuster1987 6 months ago
I think that teaching critical thinking would be giving information about logical fallacies and showing how to apply them.
JediMasterRadek 6 months ago
We have a critical thinking course at my college (16-18 here in England) and most people have dropped out after the first year
Scorp126 6 months ago 2