The miniature guide to critical thinking concepts and tools / Richard Paul and Linda Elder.

Introduction. Why critical thinking?; Stages of critical thinking development; A substantive approach to critical thinking; Critical thinkers routinely apply intellectual standards to the elements of reasoning; Three types of character -- The elements of thought. Questions using the elements of thought; A checklist for reasoning; The figuring mind -- Universal Intellectual Standards. Some essential intellectual standards for all human thought; Where do intellectual standards come from? -- Intellectual virtures of the fairminded critical thinker. Essential intellectual traits; How intellectual firtues are interrelated -- The spirit of critical thinking. Template for analyzing the logic of an article; Criteria for evaluating reasoning; A template for problem-solving; Analyzing and assessing research; Three kinds of questions; Three levels of thought -- The human minds is frequently irrational while having the capacity for rational thought. Humans often distort reality through irrational lenses; The problem of egocentric thinking; Feelings that accompany egocentrism; The problem of sociocentric thinking; Primary forms of sociocentric thought; Unethical pursuit of group agendas -- Envisioning Critical Societies. 20 barriers to critical societies.

"This powerful book introduces core critical thinking concepts and principles as an empowering problem-solving framework for every profession, course of study, and indeed every area of life. The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking Concepts and Tools distills the groundbreaking work of Richard Paul and Linda Elder, targeting how to deconstruct thinking through the elements of reasoning and how to assess the quality of our thinking. The eighth edition of this guide further details the foundations of critical thinking and how they can be applied in instruction to improve teaching and learning at all levels; it also reveals how we can learn to identify and avoid egocentric and sociocentric thought, which lead to close-mindedness, self-deception, arrogance, hypocrisy, greed, selfishness, herd mentality, prejudice, and the like.With more than half a million copies sold, Richard Paul and Linda Elder's bestselling book in the Thinker's Guide Library is used in secondary and higher education courses and professional development seminars across the globe. In a world of conflicting information and clashing ideologies, this guide clears a path for advancing fairminded critical societies."-- Provided by publisher.