Richard Parker

Brooke Noel Moore

More than any other textbook, Moore and Parker's Critical Thinking has defined the structure and content of the critical thinking course at colleges and universities across the country--and has done so with a witty writing style that students enjoy. Now in full-color, the eighth edition brings the concepts of critical thinking to life in vivid detail, with current examples relevant to today's students.

Critical Thinking

Miranda Watson

Critical thinking: The most fundamental concept of critical thinking is simple and intuitive: All humans think. It is our nature to do so. But much of our thinking, left to itself, is biased, distorted, partial, uninformed, or down-right prejudiced. Critical thinking begins, then, when we start thinking about our thinking with a view toward improving it. 

If you can't think of any examples, do not conclude that you always use concepts appropriately. Assume instead that you, like everyone else, regularly commit conceptual errors, and that your failure to remember them now is a function of self-deception. 

In many ways we live in an irrational world surrounded by many forms of irrational beliefs and behaviors. For example, despite the success of science in providing plausible explanations based on careful study of evidence gathered through disciplined observations, many people still believe in unsubstantiated systems such as astrology. Many people, when faced with a problem, follow their "gut” impulses. Many follow leaders whose only claim to credibility is skill in manipulating a crowd and whipping up enthusiasm. Few people seem to recognize the power of sound thinking in helping us solve problems and live fulfilling lives. Few people, in short, have genuine confidence in reason. 

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