CRITICAL THINKING A profound handbook to improve your memory and logical skills, level up your decision making and problem solving! G.S. Baker Disclaimer The information contained in " CRITICAL THINKING" is meant to serve as a comprehensive collection of strategies that the author of this eBook has researched about. Summaries, strategies, tips, and tricks are only recommendations by the author; and reading this eBook will not guarantee that one's results will exactly mirror the author's results. The author of the eBook has made all reasonable efforts to provide current and accurate information for the readers of the eBook. The author and his associates will not be held liable for any unintentional errors or omissions that may be found. The material in the eBook may include information by third parties. Third-party materials comprise of opinions expressed by their owners. As such, the author of the eBook does not assume responsibility or liability for any third-party material or opinions. Due to the progression of the internet or the unforeseen changes in company policy and editorial submission guidelines, what is stated as fact at the time of writing this eBook may become outdated or inapplicable later. The eBook is copyrighted in 2020 with all rights reserved. It is illegal to redistribute, copy, or create derivative work from this eBook whole or in part. No part of this report may be reproduced or retransmitted in any form whatsoever without the written expressed and signed permission from the author. TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION CHAPTER 1 WHAT IS THE CRITICAL THINKING? Critical Thinking: Defining the Concept Critical and non-desiderative thinking Methods to Enhance Critical Thinking CHAPTER 2 ANCIENT MENTAL MODES How To Choose Mental Models? CHAPTER 3 LEARNING FROM CRITICAL THINKERS The critical mind that nurtures critical thinking CHAPTER 4 HOW WE INFLUENCE OUR THOUGHTS CHAPTER 5 BETTER DECISION MAKING CHAPTER 6 SKILLS FOR CRITICAL THINKERS 10 characters You are a critical thinker CHAPTER 7 ANALYTIC THINKING AND PROBLEM-SOLVING TECHNIQUES CHAPTER 8 MENTAL EXERCISES TO DEVELOP YOUR CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS CHAPTER 9 KEEPING THE BRAIN IN SHAPE FOR CRITICAL THINKING Exercise your brain Exercise your body to improve your critical thinking abilities Stimulate the frontal lobe Expand your critical thinking ability Use diet and supplements to improve brain function CHAPTER 10 CRITICAL THINKING STRATEGIES CHAPTER 11 WHEN TO USE THE CRITICAL THINKING CHAPTER 12 SOCRATES AND ARISTOTLE CHAPTER 13 THE ART OF CLEAR THINKING Techniques for clear thinking CHAPTER 14 CONCLUSION _ A KEY SKILL FOR THE FUTURE INTRODUCTION C ritical Thinking is understood as the process of evaluating and choosing, through reasoning and will, a certain option in the midst of a universe of possibilities, with the purpose of solving a specific situation, whether it is the personal field, vocational, family, social, labor, economic, institutional or business, among others. To that extent, the decision-making process must be distinguished from routine everyday choices, such as preferences for the attire of the day, the lunch menu, etc., which do not necessarily imply a process of rational scrutiny. Decision-making involves the evaluation of a series of conditions and variables of a scenario, against which it is necessary to choose an intervention strategy by the subject involved, be it an individual or a collective (companies, institutions, communities). Therefore, it is a very complex process. CHAPTER 1 WHAT IS THE CRITICAL THINKING? We can read that the man arrived at the Moon or that he never succeeded, observe the report of the results of a scientific experiment or we can watch on television what we believe can be a mass demonstration. We can believe in it or not do it, taking into account that what comes to us from the media, what we read, what they tell us ... all this can be the product of an error or due to biased interests or opinions. Today we have to be able to doubt everything, reflecting and evaluating what we perceive and / or what communicates to us. That is why we can ask ourselves about the ability to perform this screening. What is critical thinking and how to develop it? Critical Thinking: Defining the Concept Critical thinking is the capacity manifested by the human being to analyze and evaluate the existing information regarding a subject or given, trying to clarify the veracity of said information and reach a justified idea about it, ignoring possible external biases. We apply critical thinking to try to discern the reality of what they tell us and perceive from the analysis of the reasoning used to explain it. In a manner analogous to what Descartes proposed, it is about doubting the information, dogmas and absolute axioms that surround us until we ourselves can give them truthfulness or otherwise ignore them. With this, we seek to have a justified idea of reality and not blindly accept what others tell us. This type of thinking, linked to skepticism, helps the human being to create his own identity, appearing throughout development and being especially visible in adolescence and from it. It is not about bringing the opposite to the world, but about being able to elaborate our own point of view based on the verification and contrast of data. What is intended with critical thinking is to eliminate fallacies and biases that compromise the objectivity of the investigated data. Critical thinking is closely related to other capabilities such as creativity, logic or intuition, allowing us to develop new strategies and ways of seeing and perceiving things. Having a good capacity for critical thinking helps us avoid conformism and move forward as human beings, avoiding that there is only one way of seeing the world. Why is critical thinking important? Having critical thinking can change the whole dynamics of the workplace. We can analyze, for example, that personal problems among employees often affect their earnings and the well-being of teams. When people have the critical thinking, that doesn't happen: Nobody lets work get mixed up with their personal lives, and everyone tries to maintain the friendliness to get projects going as planned. Critical thinking also has great advantages for leaders and bosses because they often find themselves having to resolve problems and conflicts between employees. It is undeniable that in such situations leaders can agree with one of the parties involved. However, impartiality is essential to maintain a firm position at such times. Critical thinking distances personal opinions and focuses only on facts and rationality. But do not think that this kind of thinking is only rational: it also makes room for creativity. Someone who is able to think critically often has more ideas and suggestions, which always leads to innovation in company projects. Taking away your personal opinion gives you room to think about other opinions - and this is where the best ideas are born. Even customer service is better when the employee has critical thinking because it leads to empathy. When we set aside our own beliefs to analyze a situation, we can better understand what the other is going through. In this way, the employee understands the customer's needs and can better serve them. No wonder critical thinking is seen as an essential skill for every good student or employee. Knowing how to question, and especially if questioning, is important to make room for knowledge and the emergence of new ideas. Those who live with a colleague who thinks this way know how their ability to resolve conflicts and understand others is essential in the workplace. How to develop critical thinking? In order to start developing your critical thinking, it is important to invest in three different aspects. However, it is important to remember that, above these qualities, critical thinking is an exercise that must be constantly practiced to perfection. 1. Curiosity Asking questions, not being satisfied with easy solutions and seeking more knowledge is the tripod of curious people. Leave acceptance aside and invest in curiosity. 2. Understanding Understanding the full picture of a problem is important to becoming a critical thinker. If you focus only on one small aspect, you may not be able to ponder it effectively. 3. Logic Start stimulating your logical thinking with mind-defying exercises. Do Sudoku, crossword puzzles and reasoning challenges. Once you work on these three characteristics, it is possible for critical thinking to come to your mind more easily. But never forget that critical thinking is a time-consuming exercise and requires dedication. Critical and non-desiderative thinking Before we have indicated that critical thinking helps us not to get carried away by the opinions of others and consider this something totally true and correct. However, we must not confuse critical thinking with acting on our impulses. While being critical of what is taken for granted is a great help to improve ourselves and create new ways of seeing the world that does not mean that we have to depend on what we create without further ado. This could lead us to think that what we want or think about something is the truth, which in turn can lead us to commit cognitive biases. For example, a person with major depression may believe that his condition will never change and that everything he tries does not matter. This does not mean that this is the case, finding (either alone or with professional help) in your life positive things that will help you improve your condition. Critical thinking in itself implies being able to set aside the different fallacies and biases to focus on seeking a truth that is as justified and reasonable as possible, seeking evidence and evidence that what is said or done is true. It is based on the search for objectivity, bypassing the subjective and manipulative elements that other people or even one can introduce in the analysis of information. What skills does having critical thinking imply? We have made a description of what is critical thinking. However, it is worth asking what exactly is necessary to have it? Having a critical thought means that the individual who has it has some degree of the following skills or traits. 1. Capacity for reflection To be able to have a critical mindset it is necessary to be able to reflect on things in abstract terms. That is, being able to associate the information that comes to us with its meaning at both a superficial and deep level, as well as the implications that such information has with respect to the rest of reality. 2. Flexibility Critical thinking implies the ability to doubt that what we perceive or believe we perceive is true, accepting the possibility that there are alternatives other than the one or proposals. Thus, some mental flexibility is necessary that allows us to visualize that other perspectives than usual can be objective and produce the desired results. 3. Logic and bias detection The ability to visualize the logic or lack of it in the things we analyze, as well as the possible failures and biases the affirmations and thoughts may have regarding them, is fundamental in this aspect. If we are not able to detect specific aspects of the argument that do not just correspond to reality or to those that lack explanation, it is not possible to make a founded criticism. 4. Theory of the mind It is necessary to bear in mind that all the affirmations and opinions are elaborated by human beings, who present their opinions based on what they consider correct. Thus, knowledge may be biased even on purpose, if an objective is sought with its transmission. 5. Ability to doubt things In order not to accept any explanation it is necessary to be able to question the truth of it. However, it is necessary that the doubts be limited to the reasonable, otherwise the existing principle could be doubted. And while it would be a critical type of thinking, excessive skepticism would not lead to any resolution. 6. Motivation and curiosity To doubt something it is very useful that what we doubt is significant. We can be critical of something that does not matter to us, but the presence of a high motivation and curiosity regarding the subject or the arguments given implies that we will try to find a truthful and justifiable solution. Methods to Enhance Critical Thinking True critical thinkers are disciplined about the function of solving situations. They honour the rigour of work, the routines and habits that lead to the expected result and exercise emotional intelligence through self-awareness and self-control. Successful critical thinkers focus on goals, not obstacles. They do not give the answers, but the opportunity to solve the problem. The elegant trick of critical thinking has much to do with features of strategic brilliance. While producing tangible and achievable results, both remain within themselves, invisible to the eyes. Renowned Chinese general and military strategist Sun Tzu, known for the classic "Art of War", understood the subtlety by stating, "Everyone can see my tactics of conquest, but what no one can understand is the strategy that each victory involves." The same holds true for the art of critical thinking. To better understand the mark of a critical thinker, think about the movie “Star Wars” and its Jedi characters. Much of the mysterious power is camouflaged and hidden. The manner in which Jedi-like sages produce their results reflects their impartial state of mind and intent of thought. Even mysterious, critical thinking gurus can be found. It is up to us to look more closely and realize that behind a result is a disciplined process at play. We can find this out in two ways. First, look for patterns that repeat in smart solutions. Second, think of a critical thinker that you respect. Ask him to show his line of reasoning. When you look more sensitive to mentors, they tend to appear "magically" before your eyes. Critical thinking is a very useful capacity and nowadays very sought after by society, both at work level and in other aspects of life. Therefore it is of great interest to be able to enhance it. For this purpose we have various activities and habits that can be useful to us.