Critical Thinking (Paperback)

~ (Author) "In recent years 'critical thinking' has become something of a 'buzz word' in educational circles..." (more)
Key Phrases: critical thinking examination, argument indicator words, critical thinking tradition, Lord Mackay, National Lottery, Van Gogh (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

In this book, Alec Fisher aims to teach directly an important range of thinking skills. The skills are fundamental critical (and creative) thinking skills, and they are taught in a way which expressly aims to facilitate their transfer to other subjects and other contexts. The method is to use 'thinking maps' which help improve thinking by asking key questions of students when they are faced with different types of problems. Alec Fisher explains the language of reasoning, how to understand different kinds of arguments and how to ask the right question. Other topics include: different patterns of reasoning and standards which apply in different contexts, how to clarify and interpret ideas, how to judge the credibility of claims, and how to decide whether a person really justifies their conclusions, given their audience. Particular attention is given to understanding casual explanations and evaluating decisions. THe book includes many examples and exercises which give extensive practice in developing critico-creative thinking skills.

Book Description

In this highly accessible book, Alec Fisher shows students how they can develop a range of creative and critical thinking skills that are transferable to other subjects and contexts.

Product Details

• Paperback: 228 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (November 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521009847
• ISBN-13: 978-0521009843
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.7 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #20,091 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #41 in	Books > Nonfiction > Education > Lesson Planning
  #75 in	Books > Nonfiction > Education > Curricula

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

140 of 144 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting, Original, and Useful, March 12, 2004

By	Fred Waring (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

Alec Fisher goes beyond the dry deductive logic and standard fallacy-spotting usually found in these critical-thinking textbooks. He gets into the WHY of poor reasoning and offers interesting and original exercises designed to make students understand the reasons for their failure to think rigorously, fairly, and creatively.

Fisher's book is much better than 90% of the critical-thinking texts on the market. And at only a quarter the price of most such textbooks, it's a great bargain, too.

52 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The easiest way to learn the bases of critical thinking, October 23, 2005

By	Averroes (USA) - See all my reviews

I find this book one of the best introductory books addressing the essentials of critical thinking. The author discussed the elements of critical thinking in a very easy and comprehensive manner that broad range of readers can absorb easily. The chapters that discuss the assumptions and the credibility are really so valuable. Above all, the charts that summarize each chapter are so valuable to revise the whole story in a few statements. I do recommend this book for the readers searching for the easiest way to teach themselves the basics of critical thinking.

13 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Raise your intelligence with this book, January 3, 2007

By	Brad (Fort Lauderdale, FL United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

Raise your intelligence with this book; the first few chapters will enable the reader to approach information absorbtion likely in a way they perhaps never considered. For others it will confirm their approach to open and thoughtful listening, and go forward with the assurance that they were doing things right. The book is an easy and engaging read, and, my hunch is that it is a classic in this area.