Critical Thinking from Udemy

This is it. This is an opportunity to become a better, smarter, more critical thinker.

Did you know that some conspiracy theories turned out to be TRUE, and others turned out to be FALSE? And yet, there are still some out there that are so controversial that intelligent people engage in fiery debates, because they simply cannot figure them out.

This video course is your aid in your search for truth.

And I'm not here to tell you exactly what to believe. My personal opinion will occasionally become somewhat evident, but that's not the point. The entire POINT of this video course is to give you the tools to

Those tools are called critical thinking skills.

Critical thinking means that you know WHY you believe something, and that you even become more understanding of why others believe the opposite.

I touched on every topic I could possibly think of that relates to analyzing, logic, and reasoning skills. In this course, you will learn about biases - and let me assure you, there are so many of them. You'll learn about fallacies (mistakes in thinking patterns that lead to false conclusions). And there may be times that you will start questioning everything you've been taught. But... that's the beauty of it. We aren't meant to believe things simply because others tell us what they think is true. There are many mysteries and controversial matters out there, and it is up to YOU to determine what evidence or narrative YOU find the most plausible and what is probably an intentional or unintentional erroneous assumption in other people's minds.

This is no small course. It contains 340 lectures and downloadable materials, a number of quizzes to test if you've been paying attention, and DOZENS of hours of reading, reasoning, storytelling, relatable experiences, etc. The presentations contain both beautiful images and intricate text that can help you question your assumptions, become better at spotting half-truths, or understand that what you already suspected, is actually explicable.

I invite you to join me on the side of society that cares; the side that doesn't follow the crowd for no reason; the critical thinkers, analysts, and open-minded individuals that could make this society better because they understand arguments with empathy, logic, and intelligence.

Please, be that person. I hope to see you on the other side, so we can both learn from each other.

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction

Course Overview

The Basis of Our Thinking

How Do we Think?

What Is Critical Thinking?

Neuroscience

Thinking Patterns

Cognitive Ease and Strain

Evolutionary Background

Instincts

The Importance of Critical Thinking

Defending Yourself with Logic

Finding Wisdom

Thinking for Yourself

Personal Empowerment

What is critical thinking?

Which is an example of cognitive strain?

What is an example of thinking for yourself?

Cognitive Biases

What Are Cognitive Biases?

Prejudice VS Cognitive Bias

Gamblers’ Fallacies

The Illusion of Control over Randomness

Fairness

On Social Media

Avoiding Failure through Cognitive Bias Training

Better Performance through Cognitive Bias Training

What is an example of the halo effect?

What is a common gamblers' fallacy?

What is a problem on social media, related to cognitive biases?

The Five Pillars

What Are the Five Critical Thinking Pillars?

Logic

Rhetoric

Argumentation

What are arguments in the context of persuasive messages?

Categories of Cognitive Biases

A List of Cognitive Biases

The Bias Blind Spot

Doing Research

The Availability Heuristic

Status Quo Bias

Confirmation Bias

Biased Memory

The Lunar Effect

Interviews and Framing Effects

Manipulative Questions

Biased Information Interpretations

Optimism Bas

Pessimism Bias

Planning Bias

Framing Effect

The Priming Effect

The Anchoring Effect

Anchoring and Adjusting

Irrelevant Anchors

Using Anchoring to Manipulate Public Opinion

Loss Aversion

The Fundamental Attribution Error

Hindsight Bias

Showing Hindsight Bias

Attention Bias

The Distinction Bias

Omission Bias

Choice-Supportive Bias

The Experimenter’s Bias

Simplifying VS Complicating Matters

In-Group Bias

The Not Invented Here Bias

Reactive Devaluation

Self-Consistency Bias

Restraint Bias

Projection Bias

Pro-Innovation Bias

Time-Saving Bias

Impact Bias

Moral Luck

Outcome Bias

Belief Bias

Information Bias

Social Comparison Bias

The Decoy Effect

Reactance

Fading Affect Bias

Implicit Associations

Science Authority Bias

What is the bias blind spot?

What is the lunar effect?

What is a typical effect of optimism bias?

Which bias is similar to the planning bias?

What is loss aversion?

What is the fundamental attribution error?

What is reactive devaluation?

How is reactance usually triggered?

Deception and Effects

Illusory Truth Effect

Mere Exposure Effect

Contrast Effect

Mood-Congruent Memory Bias

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Offers tools to understand why one believes something and to understand why others believe the opposite, which is useful for personal growth

Explores biases and fallacies, which are essential for improving analytical skills and avoiding errors in reasoning and decision-making

Examines cognitive biases and their impact on social media, which is highly relevant to understanding modern social and political dynamics

Encourages questioning assumptions and determining what evidence is most plausible, which is valuable for independent thinking and intellectual exploration

Covers logic, rhetoric, and argumentation, which are foundational skills for effective communication and persuasion in various contexts

Includes neuroscience and evolutionary background, which may add color to other topics and subjects related to the human condition

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Critical Thinking with these activities:

Review Logical Fallacies

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Strengthen your understanding of common errors in reasoning before the course begins. Recognizing fallacies will be crucial for evaluating arguments presented throughout the course.

Browse courses on Logical Fallacies

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Identify common logical fallacies.
Find examples of each fallacy in media.

Review 'The Skeptic's Guide to the Universe'

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Develop a strong foundation in skepticism and the scientific method. This book provides practical tools for evaluating claims and identifying misinformation.

View The Skeptics' Guide to the Future: What... on Amazon

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Read the book, focusing on skepticism.
Apply the concepts to real-world examples.

Review 'Thinking, Fast and Slow'

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Gain a deeper understanding of cognitive biases and how they affect decision-making. This book provides a comprehensive overview of the psychological processes underlying critical thinking.

View Noise: A Flaw in Human Judgment on Amazon

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Read the book, focusing on cognitive biases.
Take notes on key concepts and examples.

Four other activities

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Create a Bias Journal

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Reinforce your understanding of cognitive biases by actively identifying them in your daily life. This will help you become more aware of your own biases and those of others.

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Record instances of cognitive biases you observe.
Analyze the impact of these biases.

Argument Diagramming Practice

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Improve your ability to analyze arguments by practicing diagramming them. This will help you identify the premises, conclusions, and relationships between them.

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Find arguments in articles or speeches.
Diagram the argument's structure.

Debate Club Participation

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Sharpen your argumentation skills by participating in debates. This will force you to think on your feet and defend your positions with logic and evidence.

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Join a debate club or online forum.
Prepare arguments for and against a topic.
Participate in debates and receive feedback.

Fact-Checking Website Analysis

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Deepen your understanding of source evaluation by analyzing the methodology and biases of various fact-checking websites. This will help you become a more discerning consumer of information.

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Select several fact-checking websites.
Evaluate their methodology and funding.
Compare their ratings of the same claims.

Career center

Learners who complete Critical Thinking will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Detective

A detective investigates crimes, gathers evidence, and interviews witnesses. This course on critical thinking helps a detective approach investigations with objectivity and attention to detail. An understanding of cognitive biases and logical fallacies may allow the detective to avoid being misled by false information or assumptions. The fraud investigator might review the lessons on deception and effects that are covered in this course, in order to ask better questions during interviews. The detective may use this course to master the fundamentals of logic.

See salaries and explore the career path for Detective

Intelligence Analyst

An intelligence analyst gathers information and analyzes it to provide actionable intelligence to law enforcement, military, or other organizations. This course on critical thinking helps build skills that are vital to an intelligence analyst. Understanding cognitive biases as well as how to spot logical fallacies are important skills for this role. The material on deception and effects covered in the course can help an intelligence analyst identify when someone is being untruthful. Examining topics such as rhetoric and argumentation may help an intelligence analyst better understand how others come to their conclusions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Intelligence Analyst

Fraud Investigator

A fraud investigator investigates allegations of fraud, scams, and other illegal financial activities. This course in critical thinking may enhance the skills of a fraud investigator. Learning about cognitive biases, logical fallacies, and deceptive techniques can help a fraud investigator identify and understand the methods used by fraudsters. The course's coverage of topics such as the illusory truth effect and the mere exposure effect may allow a fraud investigator to understand how fraud can spread. The course's discussion of biases and memory may help in witness interviews.

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Compliance Officer

A compliance officer ensures that an organization is following all relevant laws, regulations, and internal policies. This course on critical thinking helps a Compliance Officer approach compliance issues with a thorough and objective mindset. Understanding cognitive biases and logical fallacies may allow the compliance officer to identify potential risks and vulnerabilities. The compliance officer may use the lessons on rhetoric and argumentation when communicating compliance requirements to employees. The compliance officer may use this to help an organization follow the rules.

See salaries and explore the career path for Compliance Officer

Market Research Analyst

A market research analyst investigates market conditions in local, regional, or national areas to examine potential sales of a product or service. This course on critical thinking may be useful for a market research analyst. The course may help one understand both unconscious and conscious biases, which could provide insights into consumer behavior. The course's lessons on biases like the framing effect and anchoring effect may allow a market research analyst to design surveys that are useful and free of manipulation. An understanding of logic, rhetoric, and argumentation may give a market research analyst the ability to formulate reasonable arguments in favor of new marketing techniques.

See salaries and explore the career path for Market Research Analyst

Auditor

An auditor examines financial records to ensure accuracy and compliance with regulations. This course on critical thinking may be useful because it helps an auditor approach financial records and statements with a skeptical eye. Understanding cognitive biases and logical fallacies may allow the auditor to identify potential errors or inconsistencies. The lessons on deception and effects covered in the course may help the auditor detect fraudulent activities. An auditor should take this course to promote thinking for oneself.

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Financial Analyst

A financial analyst provides guidance to businesses and individuals making investment decisions. A financial analyst must analyze financial data, identify trends, and make investment recommendations. This course on critical thinking may be useful, as it helps a financial analyst think for oneself and consider all the angles. Gaining knowledge in cognitive biases, logical fallacies, and rhetoric may allow them to make more informed and objective assessments. The financial analyst should take this course to master critical thinking.

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Public Relations Specialist

A public relations specialist manages a company's or individual's public image and reputation. This course on critical thinking helps a Public Relations Specialist understand how to craft persuasive messages and manage public perception. Understanding cognitive biases and logical fallacies may allow the public relations specialist to anticipate how the public may react to a particular message. The lessons on rhetoric and argumentation explored in this course can allow a public relations specialist to build persuasive arguments that resonate with different audiences.

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Business Consultant

A business consultant advises organizations on how to improve their performance and efficiency. This course on critical thinking may be useful for a business consultant, who needs to analyze complex problems, develop solutions, and communicate recommendations effectively. Understanding cognitive biases and logical fallacies may allow the consultant to identify the root causes of problems and avoid making flawed assumptions. The consultant may use their skills to think for themselves, as well as analyze arguments, logic, and reasoning.

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Negotiator

A negotiator works with two or more parties to come to an agreement. The course on critical thinking may be useful for a negotiator, who needs to understand the other party's perspective and identify the interests that lie beneath the surface. The course covers cognitive biases, logical fallacies, and rhetoric. This can help the negotiator understand where the other party is coming from and what their motivations are. The negotiator may also use the lessons from the course on argumentation and rhetoric to persuade the other party to come to an agreement.

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Political Scientist

A political scientist studies the origin, development, and operation of political systems. The course on critical thinking may be useful for political scientists, who need to analyze information objectively and understand different perspectives. The course covers cognitive biases, logical fallacies, and rhetoric. This may allow the political scientist to analyze political arguments and public opinion more effectively. Lessons on argumentation and rhetoric can help a political scientist in formulating and defending their own research and policy recommendations. A course may help a political scientist better understand how voters think.

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Software Quality Assurance Analyst

A software quality assurance analyst ensures the quality of software products by designing and executing tests. This course in critical thinking may be useful for a software quality assurance analyst, who needs to identify defects and ensure that software meets requirements. Understanding cognitive biases and logical fallacies may allow the analyst to design more effective tests and avoid making false assumptions about software behavior. The analyst may use this to fully realize the importance of critical thinking and reasoning skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Quality Assurance Analyst

Urban Planner

An urban planner develops plans and programs for the use of land. An urban planner needs to be able to analyze complex information, evaluate different options, and consider the potential impact of their decisions on different communities. This course on critical thinking may be useful, as it explores cognitive biases, logical fallacies, and rhetoric. These lessons can help an urban planner make more informed and objective decisions. This also improves their ability to communicate their ideas effectively to stakeholders and the public.

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Budget Analyst

A budget analyst is responsible for helping organizations manage their finances by developing and analyzing budgets. This course in critical thinking may be useful for a budget analyst, who must evaluate financial data, identify trends, and make recommendations. Understanding cognitive biases and logical fallacies may allow the budget analyst to avoid being swayed by irrelevant information or emotional appeals. The budget analyst may use this course to better understand how to think for oneself, as well as how our own thinking can be affected by outside forces.

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Social Media Manager

A social media manager is responsible for planning, implementing, and monitoring a company's social media strategy in order to increase brand awareness, improve marketing efforts and increase sales. This critical thinking video course may allow the social media manager to analyze the content they publish and its effects. The exploration of cognitive biases, such as the bandwagon effect, or the confirmation bias, may lead the social media manager to understand how information is being spread. The course's look into the anchoring effect may allow the social media manager to understand how their content is perceived.

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Critical Thinking

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