Critical Thinking in a New Information Age introduces critical thinking skills to the non-scientist, the vast majority of us. As will be shown, science is not necessarily well understood and is indeed not always a well-respected way of knowing in our culture. Science should be seen as an extraordinary way of critically thinking about nature and the best path to making many choices in and understanding life. The publication emphasizes the way science “thinks“ and not so much the content of scientific discoveries. In this new information age of the Internet, it is not necessarily so important how much you know, but rather, how well you can think about what you find in the vast amount and variety of information that can be served up online, seemingly instantaneously. No doubt, lack of knowledge or ignorance can harm, but the beauty and beast of the Internet, in particular, is that knowledge and ideas are readily available via websites, search engines, blogs, video, and social media.
Chapter 1 What Is an Intellectual?
Chapter 2 Categories Of Knowledge
Chapter 3 Philosophy As The Foundation
Chapter 4 Thinking Scientifically
Chapter 5 Comparing Ways of Knowing
Chapter 6 Logical Fallacies
Chapter 7 Cognitive Biases
Chapter 8 The Demarcation Problem: Pseudoscience
Chapter 9 The Demarcation Problem: Quasi-Science
Chapter 10 Conspiracy Theories
Chapter 11 What Is Critical Thinking?
Chapter 12 Final Thoughts
David A.
Wright
Born in Dallas, TX, David Wright graduated from the University of Dallas with a B.A. in Art (printmaking) and all-levels teaching certification. David likes to say that he has a diverse portfolio, having worked as a janitor, construction worker, truck driver, and bartender. Upon receiving an M.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Texas at Dallas, he taught and directed educational programs in Rome, Italy, first for the University of Dallas, and then for the Dallas County Community College District. Following his European adventure, David leveraged his creative abilities to become a graphic designer, which early on, led to the Internet and a career in digital marketing, in which he rose to the level of Associate Vice President at a major advertising agency. Coincidental to his digital marketing career, David started teaching a course at UTD entitled “The Nature of Intellectual Inquiry” in 1991. He continues to teach this course. David’s areas of interest have always been about interdisciplinary studies, critical thinking skills, and especially the intersection of science and society on the Internet.