Critical Thinking

Becoming a Fair-minded Thinker

1. Weak Versus Strong Thinking: (headline) Slide #1

How can critical thinking be used? (bullet point)

What is strong thinking? (bullet point)

What is weak thinking? (bullet point)

Explanation: (speech)

* Critical Thinking could be used for self-centeredness or fair-mindedness. Once we develop critical thinking skills we can either use them selfishly or in a fair-minded way. For example, we can use our critical thinking skills to not only look at the mistakes in the thinking of others, but our thinking as well. This type of critical thinking is what is called “strong thinking”. Alternatively, we can use our critical thinking in a way to merely see the mistakes in other’s thinking and making the opposing views look bad, without reconsidering our personal views and ideas. This type of thinking is what “weak thinking” is.

The intellectual virtues that lead to fair-minded thinking and the opposite of each (headline) Slide #2 (bullet points)

Disciplined Mind Undisciplined Mind

* Intellectual integrity Intellectual hypocrisy

* Intellectual autonomy Intellectual conformity

* Intellectual empathy Intellectual self-centeredness

* Intellectual courage Intellectual cowardice

* Intellectual confidence in reason Intellectual distrust of reason

* Intellectual fair-mindedness Intellectual unfairness

* Intellectual perseverance Intellectual laziness

* Intellectual sense of justice Intellectual disregard of justice

* Intellectual humility Intellectual arrogance

What Does Fair-Mindedness Require? (headline) Slide #3

* Basic concept of fair-mindedness: (bullet point + concept under)

“Fair-mindedness entails a consciousness of the need to treat all viewpoints alike, without reference to one's own feelings or selfish interests, or the feelings or selfish interests of one's friends, company, community, or nation. It implies adherence to intellectual standards uninfluenced by one's...