Logic and critical

thinking
AN INTRODUCTION
Why study logic and critical thinking?
Logic teaches us many things, and one of these is how to recognize good and bad arguments.
Nearly every undertaking in life will ultimately require that you evaluate an argument, perhaps
several.
When we try to answer the questions, in order to make the best choices, we often have only
one tool: an argument.
We listen to the reasons for and against various options, and must choose between them. And
so, the ability to evaluate arguments is an ability that is very useful in everything that you will do
—in your work, your personal life, your deepest reflections.
Critical thinking is what a university education is all about. the main goal of a university
education to teach students what to think. The main goal is to teach students how to think—
that is, how to become independent, self-directed thinkers and learners.
What is logic?
Logic is to
•Identify when an argument is good, and when it is bad;
•Construct good arguments;
•Evaluate reasons, and know when they should, and should not, be convincing;
•Describe things with a precision that avoids misunderstanding;
•Get a sense of how one can construct the foundations of arithmetic;

•Logic is the subject which teaches you the rules for correct and proper reasoning.
Critical thinking
Critical thinking is the general term given to a wide range of cognitive skills and
intellectual dispositions needed to effectively identify, analyze, and evaluate
arguments and truth claims; to discover and overcome personal preconceptions
and biases; to formulate and present convincing reasons in support of
conclusions; and to make reasonable, intelligent decisions about what to believe
and what to do.
CRITICAL THINKING STANDARDS
Clarity
Before we can effectively evaluate a person’s argument or claim, we need to understand clearly
what he or she is saying. Sometimes this lack of clarity is due to laziness, carelessness, or a lack of
skill.
Critical thinking = clarity of language + clarity of thought
Precision
Critical thinkers also understand the importance of precise thinking in daily life. They understand
that to cut through the confusions and uncertainties that surround many everyday problems and
issues, it is often necessary to insist on precise answers to precise questions: What exactly is the
problem we’re facing? What exactly are the alternatives? What exactly are the advantages and
disadvantages of each alternative? Only when we habitually seek such precision are we truly
critical thinkers.
Accuracy
“Garbage in, garbage out.”

This means that if you put bad information into a computer, bad information is exactly what you
will get out of it. Much the same is true of human thinking. No matter how brilliant you may be,
you’re almost guaranteed to make bad decisions if your decisions are based on false
information.
Critical thinkers don’t merely value the truth; they have a passion for accurate, timely
information.
Relevance
It is about the importance of staying focused on relevant ideas and information.

Consistency
Consistency is essential to critical thinking. Logic tells us that if a person holds inconsistent beliefs, at
least one of those beliefs must be false. Critical thinkers prize truth and so are constantly on the
lookout for inconsistencies, both in their own thinking and in the arguments and assertions of
others. There are two kinds of inconsistency that we should avoid. One is logical inconsistency, which
involves saying or believing inconsistent things (i.e., things that cannot be true) about a particular
matter. E.g. Let's all go to the football game tomorrow. My friend doesn't like football. I know you're
busy. We'll all enjoy ourselves. The other is practical inconsistency, which involves saying one thing
and doing another (i.e. The politician who breaks her campaign promises once she takes office).
Logical Correctness
To think logically is to reason correctly—that is, to draw well-founded conclusions from the
beliefs we hold. To think critically we need accurate and well supported beliefs.
Completeness
It is about to prefer deep and complete thinking over shallow and artificial thinking.

Fairness
Critical thinking demands that our thinking be fair—that is, open minded, fair, and free of
distorting biases and preconceptions.
Exercises
Break into groups of four or five. Choose one member of your group to take notes and be the
group reporter. Discuss your education up to this point. To what extent has your education
prepared you to think clearly, precisely, accurately, logically, and so forth? Have you ever known
a person (e.g., a teacher or a parent) who strongly modeled the critical thinking standards
discussed in this section? If so, how did he or she do that?

Have you ever been guilty of either practical inconsistency (saying one thing and doing another)
or logical inconsistency (believing inconsistent things about a particular topic or issue)? In small
groups think of examples either from your own experience or from that of someone you know.
Be prepared to share your examples with the class as a whole.
THE BENEFITS OF CRITICAL
THINKING
Critical Thinking in the Classroom
In a critical thinking course, students learn a variety of skills that can greatly improve their
classroom performance. These skills include
• understanding the arguments and beliefs of others
• critically evaluating those arguments and beliefs
• developing and defending one’s own well-supported arguments and beliefs
Critical thinking in workplace
Employers are looking not for employees with highly specialized career skills, since such skills
can usually best be learned on the job, but for employees with good thinking and
communication skills—quick learners who can solve problems, think creatively, gather and
analyze information, draw appropriate conclusions from data, and communicate their ideas
clearly and effectively. These are exactly the kinds of generalized thinking and problem-solving
skills that a course in critical thinking aims to improve.
Critical thinking in life
Critical thinking is valuable in many contexts outside the classroom and the
Workplace.
First, critical thinking can help us avoid making foolish personal decisions.
Second, critical thinking plays a vital role in promoting democratic processes.
Third, critical thinking is worth studying for its own sake, simply for the personal enrichment it
can bring to our lives. One of the most basic truths of the human condition is that most people,
most of the time, believe what they are told.
BARRIERS TO CRITICAL THINKING
lack of relevant background information Stereotyping
Denial
poor reading skills
short-term thinking
 bias
selective perception
 superstition
overpowering emotions
egocentrism (self-centered thinking)
fear of change
sociocentrism (group-centered thinking)
distrust in reason
peer pressure
narrow-mindedness
Critical thinkers verses un-critical
thinkers
Have a passionate drive for clarity Often think in ways that
precision, accuracy, and other critical are unclear, imprecise, and
thinking standards. Inaccurate.
Are skilled at understanding, Often misunderstand or
analyzing, and evaluating arguments evaluate unfairly arguments and
and viewpoints. viewpoints.
Reason logically and draw Think illogically and draw
appropriate conclusions from unsupported conclusions from
evidence and data. evidence and data.
Critical thinkers verses un-critical
thinkers
Listen open-mindedly to Are closed-minded and
opposing points of view and resist criticisms of beliefs and
welcome criticisms of beliefs and Assumptions.
assumptions.
Often base beliefs on mere
Base their beliefs on facts and
personal preference or self-interest.
evidence rather than on personal
Tend to engage in “groupthink,”
preference or self-interest.
Think independently and are uncritically following the beliefs

not afraid to disagree with group and values of the crowd.