Critical Thinking as the study of the significance of claims

Critical Thinking is the skill of examining the possible significance of claims (statistical claims, historical claims, other evidence-claims, predictions, recommendations, and principles). In this connection, it’s worth noting two points made many hundreds of years apart but which fit well with this central feature of Critical Thinking.

The first is from the Stoic philosopher Epictetus (c.55-135). ‘Men are not moved by things, but the views they take of them.’

The second is from Antoine de Saint-Exupery (1900-1944). ‘The meaning of things lies not in the things themselves, but in our attitude towards them.’

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TEACHING TEENAGERS TO USE CRITICAL THINKING

In The Times newspaper of 25 January 2025, the social scientist and researcher, Matilda Gosling (author of ‘Teenagers: The Evidence Base’), stressed the value of