--5--ASSUMPTIONS: WHAT'S TAKEN FOR GRANTED ?

 What's Taken For Granted ?

 The discovery of an assumption ca be amusing ,if not shocking .

 Understanding Assumptions

  Usually when we infer,we are aware of our reasoning . We infer actively and consciously  when we infer ,we are aware of our reasoning .We infer actively and consciously  when we make plans ,like deciding what to pack when we go on a trip.

  Critical thinkers use the lemons of wrong assumptions  for making lemonade .They learn how to think better  by mulling over their wrong assumptions .

Types Of Assumptions 

 The earlier examples discussed had to do with wrong assumptions that were usually  unconscious assumptions .A conscious  assumptions ,on the other hand is an entirely  different  matter .Also called a working  assumption it is international strategy used to gain more information  .You might wonder for example whether you want to pursue a career as a basketball star or as a basketball coach

 What Is An Assumption ? 

 1- Understanding Assumption Ussually when we infer ,we infer ,we are aware of our reasoning .we infer actively and Consciously when we make plans ,like deciding what to pack when we go on trip.We reason that we will be away for a week ,and therefore only need to pack as much clothing as we need for a week as well as much as we can conformably carry.
 2- Types of Assumption The earlier examples fissure had to do with wrong assumption that were usually unconscious assumptions.A conscious assumption ,on the other hand is an entirely different matter.Also called a working assumption ,it is intentional strategy used to Gain more information .
 3-Identifying Hidden Assumtions In Reasoning ;

 -if your friend is Japanese ,she must be moody ,
 -He is a good candidate for mayor since he looks sincere.
 -If you love her , you will give her diamonds.
 
All of statements appearing in the previous list contain assumptions that are hidden or implicit .In each case ,the assumptions may not be easy recognizable

--2-- WORD PRECISION :HOW DO I DESCRIBE IT?

    

         How Do I Describe it?     

      In order to share our experience with others thought writing ,we need to give much thought to our choice of words .

•    - words interconnect with thinking and perceiving   
•    -a good dictionary helps thinking      
•    - words are defined   
•    - words convey feeling       
•    - concepts abstract thought      
•    - critical reading works             

      On Finding The Right Word       

      The first was probably on of silent absorption .if words came to you at that time ,they could have interfered with your sensing proses .     

    How Well Do You Use Your Dictionary?             

  Working with partner ,take turns finding three random entries to discuss . Explain to your partner every piece of information that you find there ,including  every symbol and every abbreviation .
                    

    Clear Thinking Depends On Clear Word Definitions       

   Clear thinking and expression depend on clear word understanding . 

  1- paying attention to the inner discomfort that indicates you have not fully understood a word  

  2- taking out the time to clear things up.    Word confusion stands out more in conversation than in reading.         

    What Makes A Definition?          

 The etymology or history of the word definition shows us something interesting , it comes from the latin .

•   baked deserts   
•   a cake that looks like a pie    
•   egg based  not flour based with a thin a crumb crust   
•   sweetened cottage or cream cheese       

   What Is Critical reading ?      

     When we read a detective story , we enjoy getting lost in another world ,when we read a training manual ,we follow and memorize .In  both cases ,we rarely question what we read .     As you study each chapter of this book ,you will be learning those questions found most valuable for making a critical assessment of information 

•   Is this the most accurate word choice ?  
•   what is the connotation of this word?   
•   what is the more appropriate here?   
•   Is this word clearly defined?  
•   The reading selection offered in this text are intended to stimulate critical thinking.

--4--INFERENCE :WHAT'S FOLLOWS?

 

What's Follows?

 Of curse the fish are only the biggest fish in their own word , but they don't know that ,only we do.We can be excellent observes we can have facts plainly before us , but still go wrong in the making of Inference .

 Understanding The Words Infer And Inference 

 We use inferences every hour of the day in all it's forms of imagining ,guessing ,estimating ,predicting, and concluding.Inferences govern our simplest action .

 How Inference Can Go Right And Wrong

 We make inference to help us fill in for missing fact and in order to sense of fact we have . As we make inferences ,we have to keep checking them against our facts,otherwise we can build one faulty inference on top of another . Let us now consider contrasting example of how inferences can create either knowledge or confusion .Lets begin with a reading selection showing the thinking of that master of skillful inference ,sherlock Holmes .

Drawing Inferences From Careful Observation 

1. The facts appear first followed by the inferences that can reasonably be drawn from them .
2. More than one inference can be drawn from each set of facts
3. The factual information groups together  the details of segment or feature of photograph at a time 
4. The conclusion draws together the facts and the possible  inferences into a plausible explanation of the message ,purpose and meaning of the photograph .

---1--OBSERVATIONS SKILLS: WHAT'S OUT THERE?

       

    What's out there ?    

  If we base our thinking on poor observation ,then no matter how many strategies we devise ,or how well we reason ,that thinking will be faulty .
                  

    Using Observation  Skills To Develop New Knowledge 

   Those  of you who discovered something new from these exercises learned because you observed in it's true sense of staying awake and closely attentive .Therefore you became aware of details ,which a sweeping glance would have missed in your subject ,that revealed significance about the whole .The following reading process of learning .

  Evaluating Your Work By Using The Scoring Boxes

  Thus ,the scoring boxes can serve first a checklist to help you determine the strengths and weaknesses of your first  draft.Second ,they can be used in class to guide you and your first draft .In summary ,the scoring boxes have the following purposes;

1. To clarify each assignments  skill building components 
2. To clarify priorities  and criteria
3. To clarity standards for a peer critical analysis that will take place in class .
4. To enable you to turn in your best work for a grade

   The Observation Process :Sensing ,Perceiving ,Thinking 

  When you worked with your fruit ,vegetable,or tool,you went through a process  of collecting data ,seeing patterns,and drawing conclusions.As you learned  in the opening  ,Discovery Exercises,this process is called inductive reasoning .

   Sensing occurs through sense organs such as the eyes and skin.When our sense organs become activated by stimuli such as by a bright ,warm light they send information though the nervous system  to brain .

   In everyday speech the word perceiving is often used loosely  as a syndrome for sensing,although there  are distinct  differences .Perception is both passive and active ;it holds sensations in consciousness  long enough to interpret  them.

    How Discomfort Leads Us To Think   

    In our daily lives ,when we are presented with a problem ,our first reaction may be one of denial and inertia .We may try first to explain this situation in a way that will not require any change or effort from us .Let's take the case of a young man who tries one job after another ,only to always find himself bored of fired .He attributes his problem to bad .

--3-- FACTS, MEMORY

Facts: What's Real?

  Fact comes from the Latin factum, meaning a deed; something that actually exists; reality; truth. One characteristic of facts is that they can be objectively verified, proven to be true,through the testimony of witnesses, through observations, or through records or documentation. 

What is Memory?

  Memory is the process of storing information, and as in any process, successive steps or stages are essential for it to work.

Facts and Reality

  Facts are our interpretations of what is real and true, but the problem with interpretations is that they can be wrong. 

   Reality is another term that we all use every day, yet few of us can define. 

   In summary, facts are not the equivalent of truths or reality; they are, at best, only our decisions about what seems to be most real. Human beings need facts because they need certainties in order to proceed through the world. But we should not forte that human beings are fallible.

Standards We Use to Determine Facts

• Verifiability
• Reliability
• Plausibility
• Probability

   Verifiability means the data can be confirmed by another source. This source can be a reference source (like a dictionary), a record (like a marriage license), or a standard (like Greenwich mean time).

  Reliability is when we obtain aggrements or disagreements about facts, we have to consider their degree of dependability.

  Plausibility is meaning they undergo the test of credibility.

  Probability, as tested through time and repetition, represents another standard used to determine the reliability of a fact.