Critical thinking isn’t optional; it’s Survival
Note: Currently, this course includes Module A. Modules B through E will be added successively in the near future. Of course by enrolling now, you’ll gain full access to Module A (2.5 hours, 14 assignments) and automatically receive all future modules at no additional cost
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In a world saturated with information, some of it true, a lot of it false, and even more dangerously, misleading, critical thinking has never been more essential. This course is designed to equip you with the tools to think clearly, question deeply, and reason effectively in the face of overwhelming data, conflicting narratives, and global challenges.
What you’ll learn
- Develop the courage to question everything, including cherished beliefs..
- Navigate the journey from dogma through meaninglessness to the clarity and comfort of critical thinking..
- Practice critical thinking consistently until it becomes second nature: done quickly, smoothly and automatically..
- Understanding the importance of critical thinking in everyday life..
- Explore how humans acquire knowledge, focusing on the psychological basis of pattern recognition versus logical reasoning..
- Recognize cognitive biases, understand their roots, and examine how they distort our thinking..
- Apply principles of logic, identify common logical fallacies, and connect them to underlying cognitive biases..
- Use critical thinking to analyze real-world issues, and examine problematic phenomena such as pseudoscience and conspiracy theories..
Course Content
- Introduction –> 2 lectures • 8min.
- Module A: Understanding Critical Thinking –> 32 lectures • 2hr 18min.
Requirements
Note: Currently, this course includes Module A. Modules B through E will be added successively in the near future. Of course by enrolling now, you’ll gain full access to Module A (2.5 hours, 14 assignments) and automatically receive all future modules at no additional cost
***
In a world saturated with information, some of it true, a lot of it false, and even more dangerously, misleading, critical thinking has never been more essential. This course is designed to equip you with the tools to think clearly, question deeply, and reason effectively in the face of overwhelming data, conflicting narratives, and global challenges.
We begin by exploring what critical thinking truly means and how to cultivate the right mindset, including the intellectual courage to challenge assumptions, especially our own. You’ll learn how to set your intention as a thinker and navigate the different stages and processes of critical thinking.
The course then examines the foundations of knowledge itself. Is knowledge just information or logic? Or is there more to it? We’ll investigate the psychological and rational components of how we come to know, revealing the often-hidden forces that shape our beliefs.
From there, we’ll explore the two major threats to sound reasoning: cognitive biases and logical fallacies. You’ll learn to recognize how our minds mislead us, how poor reasoning spreads in society, and how to avoid these pitfalls yourself.
Finally, we turn to the high-stakes consequences of flawed thinking. In a special section, we explore widespread cultural and intellectual issues, examples of which include pseudo-intellectualism, pseudoscience, and conspiracy theories, and how they impact public discourse, scientific literacy, and even global stability!
Whether you’re a student, educator, professional, or global citizen, this course will hopefully sharpen your thinking, deepen your understanding, and prepare you to meet today’s challenges with clarity, integrity, and insight. Critical thinking isn’t optional; it’s survival.