AREAS THAT REQUIRE THE APPLICATION OF CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS

Critical Thinking offers a set of tools that can be applied to all aspects of our life, as for example assessing the reliabilty of information, analysing the structure and consistency of arguments, offering opinions based on evidence and robust reasoning and writing assignments and texts that make sense. This page offers links to some of the areas where the use of thinking skill sis most important. Each link provides examples and identifies issues that we must be aware of any time someone trie sto convice us of their point of view.

For more information about Critical Thinking, see also our FAQs section

The concepts of "TRUTH", "BELIEF" and "KNOWLEDGE" have been the focus of philosophical discussion for millennia.

TRUTH

The understanding of these concepts is important for Critical Thinking since one of the main questions in analysing arguments focus on weather is there any evidence to support the truth of the claims that compose it. Thus, during our meetings, courses and workshops we explore in depth the meaning of truth. This requires a bit of immersion in philosophical issues, but we know how some people may feel put off by the idea of "philosophy". In our meetings we try to bring philosophical concepts to the level of understanding of those who did not have exposure to philosophy during their education. Philosophy can be interesting and exciting and doesn't need to be that load of impenetrable texts written by dead philosophers. It can be an exciting line of enquiry accessible to all of us.

BELIEF

We all claim to believe in something, but what does it mean "to believe in"? Philosophers have defined the word belief as a claim that is held as true, but we know that there is more to it that just assessing the truth of claims. Even animals can uphold beliefs! This is another subject that we will be discussing in much detail in our meetings, not only its philosophical concept, but also the psychology, neurobiology and evolution of belief formation.

KNOWLEDGE

What is knowledge? Philosophers define it as "justified true belief".  But how do we know when it is justified? How do you know if what you know is justified true belief? This is another topic that requires deep reflection to understand our though process and how our beliefs shape our identity.