Critical thinking has become a fashionable term: classes of all kinds seem to include critical thinking, for example. It has become more important in an era of “fake news”. But it is an important skill to test the reasons given for any belief or conviction: whether someone elses, or our own.

In this class, we’ll look at critical thinking actually means – what it is, how we use it, and when we use it. Importantly, we’ll look at both what it can and cannot do.

We will practice by analysing TED talks, as well as other materials, to help us understand the critical thinking process.

In every session, we will review material either provided by the teacher, or TED talks chosen by other students. The sessions focus on practising critical thinking skills as much as learning about critical thinking.

Curriculum

Most weeks we will examine a TED talk picked by students.

• Week 1 We look at what critical thinking is, what it isn't, and asks how much it depends on culture.
• Week 2 This session looks at different types of reasoning, what an argument is and the structure of an argument.
• Week 3 The third session focusses on identifying premises and conclusions.
• Week 4 We move on to identifying hidden assumptions and unstated premises in this session
• Week 5 We look at typical errors of reasoning in the fifth session.
• Week 6 The final sesssion reviews what’s been covered.