Critical Thinking Essentials: A Practical Guide by Sorin Dumitrascu

Author:Sorin Dumitrascu [Dumitrascu, Sorin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-01-06T18:30:00+00:00

Exploring alternative views

The fourth strategy that will help you improve the quality of your thinking is being willing to explore alternative views. Success with this strategy will require you to be open-minded and also to be willing to change your mind.

Good critical thinkers are open-minded. Your ability to think critically will be directly impacted by your ability to be open-minded.

Signs that you're open-minded include a willingness to listen to the views or opinions of others, especially if they oppose your own. As you listen, you remain calm and attentive. When other views oppose your own, you remain reasonable and consider whether those views have merit. If any of this describes you, chances are you're open-minded.

Finally, if you discover good thinking or opposing positions that do have merit, you need to be willing to change your mind. Because critical thinkers are continuously looking to improve their own thinking when given a good reason, they must show a willingness to change their minds. This is key to critical thinking and is how you can improve the quality of your own thinking.

Question

Which statements exemplify the proper use of exploring alternative views to improve the quality of your thinking?

Options:

1. Avoid narrow thinking by questioning whether your position is the only right one.

2. Remain committed to your well-reasoned opinions and positions.

3. Be patient when you're right and you know it.

4. Evaluate the value of alternative points of view.

5. Consider whether what you've read is factual or true.

Answer:

Option 1: This option is correct. Remain open-minded by listening to others, considering the validity of your own thoughts, and remaining calm instead of becoming defensive.

Option 2: This option is incorrect. In order to improve your thinking, you need to be willing to change your mind when reasoned analysis dictates it's prudent to do so.

Option 3: This option is incorrect. You need to remain calm and patient, but you must also always be prepared to consider that you're wrong.

Option 4: This option is correct. Considering whether other views have merit will help you improve the quality of your thinking.

Option 5: This option is correct. Not believing everything you read will help you explore alternative views and improve your thinking.

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