Module 1

In Module 1 you are given the opportunity to explore what critical reasoning is and what it means to think for yourself. This module sets the foundation for everything that follows. 

Do you agree that many of the problems we face in our lives result from a lack of clarity in our thinking about what is real, true, and essential? In our fast-paced, overstimulated, I-want-it-quickly society, our response to an issue is often based on preconceived ideas.

What is most important in this course is that you learn how to think for yourself, as opposed to replicating preconceived ideas. Issues rarely yield single, clear, right or wrong answers; they usually yield only less- or more-convincing arguments. One of the main benefits of critical thinking is that it allows you to reach independent conclusions about the world and about yourself. 

This course is adapted from the University of South Africa's Critical Reasoning course, licensed under a Creative Commons by Attribution 3.0 license. It can be viewed in its original format at the following link: http://wikieducator.org/Critical_reasoning 

Module 1 covers the following topics:

• • • Critical reasoning

    • Thinking for yourself

    • Informed thinking

    • Critical self-reflection

After successfully completing Module 1, you should be able to:

• • • Define critical reasoning.

    • Demonstrate techniques on how to think for yourself (independent thinking).

    • Reflect critically on your own assumptions. 

    • Apply reasoning to arguments. 

Readings

• • • Module 1 Lecture

    • Glossary

Web Resources

• • • Critical and Creative Thinking