Critical thinking vocabulary

Critical thinking involves a wide range of cognitive skills and dispositions. Here's a breakdown of key vocabulary associated with it, categorized for clarity:

I. Core Skills

• Analysis: Breaking down complex information into smaller parts to understand its structure and meaning.
  • Related terms: Deconstruct, dissect, examine, categorize, differentiate
• Evaluation: Assessing the credibility, relevance, and validity of information or arguments.
  • Related terms: Critique, judge, assess, appraise, weigh, validate
• Inference: Drawing conclusions based on evidence and reasoning.
  • Related terms: Deduce, infer, conclude, derive, speculate, hypothesize
• Interpretation: Explaining the meaning or significance of information.
  • Related terms: Clarify, explain, interpret, translate, decipher, understand
• Explanation: Clearly and coherently presenting reasons and evidence to support a claim or conclusion.
  • Related terms: Justify, rationalize, articulate, defend, illustrate, demonstrate
• Self-Regulation: Monitoring one's own thinking processes and identifying areas for improvement.
  • Related terms: Reflect, monitor, evaluate, correct, adjust, metacognition

II. Key Concepts

• Argument: A set of reasons or evidence in support of a conclusion.
  • Related terms: Premise, conclusion, claim, evidence, reasoning, logic
• Assumption: A belief or idea that is taken for granted.
  • Related terms: Presupposition, supposition, premise, given
• Bias: A tendency to favor or oppose something or someone unfairly.
  • Related terms: Prejudice, partiality, inclination, leaning, favoritism
• Credibility: The quality of being believable or trustworthy.
  • Related terms: Reliability, trustworthiness, authority, validity, accuracy
• Evidence: Facts, information, or data that support a claim or conclusion.
  • Related terms: Proof, data, facts, information, testimony, documentation
• Fallacy: A flaw in reasoning that makes an argument invalid.
  • Related terms: Error, mistake, flaw, deception, sophism
• Perspective: A particular point of view or way of thinking.
  • Related terms: Viewpoint, standpoint, outlook, angle, position
• Validity: The quality of being logically sound and well-supported.
  • Related terms: Soundness, cogency, strength, justification, legitimacy

III. Dispositions

• Curiosity: A desire to learn and understand.
  • Related terms: Inquisitiveness, interest, exploration, investigation
• Open-mindedness: A willingness to consider different perspectives and ideas.
  • Related terms: Tolerance, acceptance, receptiveness, impartiality
• Intellectual Humility: An awareness of the limits of one's own knowledge and understanding.
  • Related terms: Modesty, humility, awareness, recognition
• Skepticism: A tendency to question and evaluate claims before accepting them.
  • Related terms: Doubt, questioning, scrutiny, examination
• Intellectual Courage: A willingness to stand up for one's beliefs, even in the face of opposition.
  • Related terms: Conviction, fortitude, bravery, determination
• Empathy: The ability to understand and share the feelings of others.
• Related terms: Compassion, understanding, sensitivity, insight

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