Learning & Thinking · Topic

Critical Thinking

Separate claims from evidence, compare explanations, and reason more carefully.

• Separate Observation from Human-Like InterpretationDescribe what a non-human animal, plant, machine or model did before assigning a human motive. Add a system-specific alternative and state what remains uncertain.
• Run a Missing-Evidence Check Before a DecisionWhen a vivid or recent example is dominating a decision, separate what is easy to recall from what is representative, then look for one missing denominator, counterexample, or rele
• Before Jumping on the Bandwagon, Ask Yourself, 'do I Really Believe in This, orBefore jumping on the bandwagon, ask yourself, 'Do I really believe in this, or am I just following the crowd?' Make decisions based on your own reasoning.
• Write the Inclusion Rule Before GeneralizingRecord who or what entered an analysis, who was excluded and how the conclusion changes when missing cases are considered.
• Pause a Heated Disagreement and Test One ClaimSlow down a defensive exchange, restate the other person's claim, identify what could change either view and choose one concrete check or a respectful stopping point.
• When You Find Yourself Focusing on the Negatives, Make a Conscious Effort to AlsoWhen you find yourself focusing on the negatives, make a conscious effort to also consider the positives. Ask, 'What’s going right here?'
• Record What Would Change a BeliefWrite a claim, the basis for your current view, the new information and the condition under which you would revise, narrow or suspend the belief.
• Separate Observed Facts From Assumed IntentWhen an ordinary ambiguous event feels intentional, separate the observable facts from your interpretation, list plausible alternatives, check relevant information, and use a neutr
• Counterexample CheckWhen a statement uses words such as always, never, everyone, or nothing, look for one genuine exception before treating it as a rule.
• Check a Relevant Baseline Before Interpreting One CaseFor an ordinary data-informed decision, define the relevant reference class, find a comparable baseline, inspect its scope and denominator, then combine that general context with t
• Stress-Test a Belief With Strong Counter-InformationWrite the specific claim you currently accept, note the strongest support you have, seek credible information that could challenge it, compare relevance and independence, then keep
• Trace Repeated Claims Back to Their Underlying SourcesWhen several pages or reports repeat the same claim, follow their links and citations back to the underlying material, record shared documents, datasets or organizations, and disti
• Run One Disconfirming Check Before a Consequential CommitmentBefore an ordinary consequential commitment, state the assumption you currently favor, name one observable condition that would weaken it, check that condition directly, and update
• Compare a Condition With the Same Condition Plus Another RequirementWhen one option is A and another is A plus an additional condition B, write the two event sets explicitly and check their logical relationship before letting the more detailed desc
• Before You Commit to a Judgment, Consider the OppositeWhen a judgment matters and you already feel convinced, deliberately generate a plausible explanation, evidence pattern, or outcome that would point the other way. Use it as a bias
• Judge a Commitment by What Comes NextWhen past time, money, or effort is dominating a continuation decision, separate what cannot be recovered and compare realistic future costs, benefits, constraints, and alternative
• When Judging Someone’s Actions, Ask Yourself, 'what Situational Factors Might Be Influencing ThemWhen judging someone’s actions, ask yourself, 'What situational factors might be influencing them?' Look beyond just their personality.
• When Forming an Opinion About Someone, Take a Step Back and Consider All AspectsWhen forming an opinion about someone, take a step back and consider all aspects of their character, not just your first impression.
• After an Event Occurs, Resist the Urge to Say, 'I Knew It All AlongAfter an event occurs, resist the urge to say, 'I knew it all along.' Instead, review your original thoughts and predictions to see how they compare.
• When You Notice a Connection Between Two Things, Ask Yourself, 'is There Really aWhen you notice a connection between two things, ask yourself, 'Is there really a link here, or am I seeing something that isn’t there?' Look for solid evidence before drawing conc
• Pause Before Accepting the First Number or FrameBefore committing to the first number, option, estimate, or framing you encounter, make it explicit, generate an independent alternative, and check the information that matters to
• In Group Discussions, Ask Questions and Voice Your Own Opinions, Even If They GoIn group discussions, ask questions and voice your own opinions, even if they go against the consensus. Encourage others to do the same.
• Don’t Let the Latest Information Overshadow What’s Truly ImportantDon’t let the latest information overshadow what’s truly important. Regularly review and prioritize key information, not just the most recent.
• Ask Yourself If You’re Valuing Something Just Because It’s RareAsk yourself if you’re valuing something just because it’s rare. Focus on its actual importance to you, not just its scarcity.
• Give Yourself Credit When Things Go Well, but Also Acknowledge Your Role When TheyGive yourself credit when things go well, but also acknowledge your role when they don’t. Reflect on what you could improve without blaming external factors.
• Focus on the Smallest Details That Might Seem Insignificant but Could Be of GreatFocus on the smallest details that might seem insignificant but could be of great importance.
• When Faced with a Problem, Start by Making an Educated Guess About the CauseWhen faced with a problem, start by making an educated guess about the cause. Write down your hypothesis and what you expect to happen if it’s true.
• Challenge Yourself to Step Out of Your Comfort ZoneChallenge yourself to step out of your comfort zone. Ask, 'Is staying the same really better?' Be open to new ways of doing things.